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Open access

Bilateral infraoptic origin of the anterior cerebral artery: illustrative case

Neil Majmundar, Joseph Quillin, James K Liu, and Pankaj K Agarwalla

BACKGROUND

A bilateral infraoptic origin of the anterior cerebral arteries (ACAs) is a rare anatomical variant that can be encountered during anterior skull base surgery. The ACAs arise from the internal carotid artery (ICA) at the level of the ophthalmic artery and course medially, traveling inferior to the ipsilateral optic nerves. Herein, the authors discuss the different configurations of the anatomical variant, its prevalence, and hypotheses leading to the variable configuration of this anomaly.

OBSERVATIONS

A 67-year-old woman presented with worsening dizziness over a week-long period and was found to have a large left sphenocavernous meningioma with optic, cavernous, and suprasellar extension. The tumor incorporated the left supraclinoid ICA and its branches. She underwent a left modified orbitozygomatic craniotomy for tumor resection. Early identification of the aberrant ACA anatomy was crucial in avoiding vascular injury.

LESSONS

While this variant is typically encountered during the treatment of vascular pathologies—namely, intracranial aneurysms—its existence should be kept in mind during the treatment of any anterior skull base pathology. Failure to account for the presence of this variant may lead to potential intraoperative complications.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 20 (Nov 2023)

Open access

Blood pressure cuff–induced radial nerve palsy following minimally invasive lateral microdiscectomy: illustrative case

Ziad Rifi, Jasmine A Thum, Margaret S Sten, Timothy J Florence, and Michael J Dorsi

BACKGROUND

The authors describe a rare case of transient postoperative wrist and finger drop following a prone position minimally invasive surgery (MIS) lateral microdiscectomy.

OBSERVATIONS

Hand and wrist drop is an unusual complication following spine surgery, especially in prone positioning. The authors’ multidisciplinary team assessed a patient with this complication following MIS lateral microdiscectomy. The broad differential diagnosis included radial nerve palsy, C7 radiculopathy, stroke, and spinal cord injury. Given the patient’s supinator weakness, intact pronation and wrist flexion, and transient recovery within 4 weeks, the most likely diagnosis was radial nerve neuropraxia secondary to ischemic compression. After careful consideration of the operative environment and anatomical constraints, the patient’s blood pressure cuff was found to be the most probable source of compression.

LESSONS

Blood pressure cuff–induced peripheral nerve injury may be a source of postoperative radial nerve neuropraxia in patients undergoing spine surgery. Careful considerations must be given to the blood pressure cuff location, which should not be placed at the distal end of the humerus due to higher susceptibility of peripheral nerve compression. Spine surgeons should be aware of and appropriately localize postoperative deficits along the neuroaxis, including central versus proximal or distal peripheral injuries, in order to guide appropriate postoperative management.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 20 (Nov 2023)

Open access

A cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula treated by direct puncture of the superior ophthalmic vein with craniotomy: illustrative case

Katsuma Iwaki, Koichi Arimura, Shunichi Fukuda, Soh Takagishi, Keisuke Ido, Ryota Kurogi, Kenichi Matsumoto, Akira Nakamizo, and Koji Yoshimoto

BACKGROUND

The authors report a case of symptomatic cavernous sinus (CS) dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) that was successfully treated using direct puncture of the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) with craniotomy. CS dAVF is commonly treated using transvenous embolization (TVE), with the most common access route via the inferior petrosal sinus (IPS). However, this route is sometimes unavailable because of an occluded, hypoplastic, aplastic, or tortuous IPS. The SOV is an alternative, albeit tortuous and long, route to the CS; therefore, direct SOV puncture is occasionally performed. Direct SOV puncture is mostly percutaneous; however, in this case, it was difficult because of subcutaneous SOV narrowing.

OBSERVATIONS

As the patient experienced increased intraocular pressure, decreased vision, and eye movement disorders, CS embolization was performed via direct puncture with a craniotomy because of other access difficulties.

LESSONS

Several reports have described CS dAVF in patients receiving endovascular treatment via direct SOV puncture using a transorbital approach. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of a CS dAVF treated using TVE with craniotomy. This approach is useful when the SOV cannot be reached intravenously and its distance from the epidermis is long.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 20 (Nov 2023)

Open access

Middle meningeal artery pseudoaneurysm and pterygoid plexus fistula following percutaneous radiofrequency rhizotomy: illustrative case

Rahim Ismail, Derrek Schartz, Timothy Hoang, and Alexander Kessler

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous treatment for trigeminal neuralgia is a safe and effective therapeutic methodology and can be accomplished in the form of balloon compression, glycerol rhizotomy, and radiofrequency thermocoagulation. These procedures are generally well tolerated and demonstrate minimal associated morbidity. Moreover, vascular complications of these procedures are exceedingly rare.

OBSERVATIONS

We present the case of a 64-year-old female with prior microvascular decompression and balloon rhizotomy who presented after symptom recurrence and underwent a second balloon rhizotomy at our institution. Soon thereafter, she presented with pulsatile tinnitus and a right preauricular bruit on physical examination. Subsequent imaging revealed a middle meningeal artery (MMA) to pterygoid plexus fistula and an MMA pseudoaneurysm. Coil and Onxy embolization were used to manage the pseudoaneurysm and fistula.

LESSONS

This case illustrates the potential for MMA pseudoaneurysm formation as a complication of percutaneous trigeminal balloon rhizotomy, which has not been seen in the literature. Concurrent MMA-pterygoid plexus fistula is also a rarity demonstrated in this case.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 19 (Nov 2023)

Open access

Pterygoid venous plexus anastomosis in trigeminal percutaneous glycerol rhizotomy: illustrative case

Kevin Cordeiro, Jason Kim, Niall Buckley, Mark Kraemer, Conrad Pun, and Daniel Resnick

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous glycerol rhizotomy (PGR) is a common, effective, and relatively safe treatment for trigeminal neuralgia that is refractory to medical management. Anastomotic skull base venous anatomy should be considered when delivering percutaneous agents.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors report an anastomotic connection, not previously described in the literature, between the bilateral pterygoid venous plexuses upon air injection during PGR with computed tomography (CT) guidance for trigeminal neuralgia. Pertinent microsurgical and skull base venous anatomy is reviewed.

LESSONS

Anastomoses between the pterygoid venous plexuses present a potential passage for materials used during PGR to reach unintended contralateral neurovascular structures. The use of CT guidance may identify this anastomotic connection and decrease the likelihood of an aberrant flow of materials used during the PGR.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 18 (Oct 2023)

Open access

Transvenous embolization for an intraosseous clival arteriovenous fistula via a proper access route guiding a three-dimensional fusion image: illustrative case

Yu Iida, Jun Suenaga, Nobuyuki Shimizu, Kaoru Shizawa, Ryosuke Suzuki, Shigeta Miyake, Taisuke Akimoto, Satoshi Hori, Kensuke Tateishi, Yasunobu Nakai, and Tetsuya Yamamoto

BACKGROUND

Intraosseous clival arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs), in which the shunt drains extracranially from the posterior and anterior condylar veins rather than from the cavernous sinus (CS), are rare. Targeting embolization of an intraosseous clival AVF is challenging because of its complex venous and skull base anatomy; therefore, a therapeutic strategy based on detailed preoperative radiological findings is required to achieve a favorable outcome. Here, the authors report the successful targeted embolization of an intraosseous clival AVF using an ingenious access route.

OBSERVATIONS

A 74-year-old woman presented with left-sided visual impairment, oculomotor nerve palsy, and right facial pain. A fusion image of three-dimensional rotational angiography and cone-beam computed tomography revealed a left CS dural AVF and a right intraosseous clival AVF. The shunt flow of the clival AVF drained extracranially from the posterior and anterior condylar veins via the intraosseous venous route. Transvenous embolization was performed by devising suboccipital, posterior condylar, and intraosseous access routes. The symptoms resolved after the bilateral AVFs were treated.

LESSONS

Accurate diagnosis and proper transvenous access based on detailed intraosseous and craniocervical venous information obtained from advanced imaging modalities are key to resolving intraosseous clival AVF.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 18 (Oct 2023)

Open access

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for persistent primitive hypoglossal artery stenosis: illustrative case

Katsuma Iwaki, Koichi Arimura, Shunichi Fukuda, Soh Takagishi, Ryota Kurogi, Kuniyuki Nakamura, Akira Nakamizo, and Koji Yoshimoto

BACKGROUND

We report a case of symptomatic, progressive stenosis of a persistent primitive hypoglossal artery (PPHA), which was successfully treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the origin of the PPHA. The PPHA is a type of carotid-basilar anastomosis with an incidence of 0.02% to 0.10%. It originates from the internal carotid artery (ICA), passes through the hypoglossal canal, and merges with the basilar artery. In many cases, the ipsilateral vertebral artery is hypoplastic; therefore, PPHA stenosis causes cerebral infarction in the posterior circulation territory, as in this case.

OBSERVATIONS

The patient’s right PPHA had severe and progressive stenosis; therefore, he experienced cerebral infarction despite medical treatment. Therefore, PTA for the stenosis was performed, which ceased the recurrence of cerebral infarction and dizziness by improving blood flow in the posterior circulation.

LESSONS

Several reports have described ICA stenosis accompanied by PPHA or PPHA stenosis in patients receiving endovascular treatments. Almost all cases were nonprogressive, and the treatment procedure was stenting. However, in our case, the PPHA stenosis was progressive, and we performed PTA because the patient experienced resistance to antiplatelet drugs and had poor collateral flow.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 17 (Oct 2023)

Open access

Single-level ossified ligamentum flavum causing a holocord syrinx: illustrative case

Prashant Punia, Ashish Chugh, Sarang Gotecha, and Apurva Lachake

BACKGROUND

Syringomyelia is a neurological disorder that is caused by abnormal cerebrospinal fluid flow or circulation. It is an incidental finding in most cases, predominantly presenting with sensory symptoms of insensitivity to pain and temperature. Spinal ossified ligamentum flavum (OLF) leading to syringomyelia is one of the rare causes. The authors report an unusual case of syringomyelia due to a thoracic OLF.

OBSERVATIONS

A 54-year-old female presented with backache, difficulty walking, spasticity in the bilateral lower limbs, tingling sensation in the bilateral lower limbs, and paraparesis for 5 years. Her radiological investigations were suggestive of an OLF causing a syrinx. She underwent laminectomy, and her syrinx resolved on subsequent follow-up.

LESSONS

A syrinx due to a single-level OLF is rare, and this uncommon cause should be kept in mind while formulating treatment plans.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 10 (Sep 2023)

Open access

Utilization of three-dimensional fusion images with high-resolution computed tomography angiography for preoperative evaluation of microvascular decompression: patient series

Takamitsu Iwata, Koichi Hosomi, Naoki Tani, Hui Ming Khoo, Satoru Oshino, and Haruhiko Kishima

BACKGROUND

High-resolution computed tomography (CT), outfitted with a 0.25-mm detector, has superior capability for identifying microscopic anatomical structures compared to conventional CT. This study describes the use of high-resolution computed tomography angiography (CTA) for preoperative microvascular decompression (MVD) assessment and explores the potential effectiveness of three-dimensional (3D) image fusion with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by comparing it with traditional imaging methods.

OBSERVATIONS

Four patients who had undergone preoperative high-resolution CTA and MRI for MVD at Osaka University Hospital between December 2020 and March 2022 were included in this study. The 3D-reconstructed images and intraoperative findings were compared. One patient underwent conventional CTA, thus allowing for a comparison between high-resolution and conventional CTA in terms of radiation exposure and vascular delineation. Preoperative simulations reflected the intraoperative findings for all cases; small vessel compression of the nerve was identified preoperatively in two cases.

LESSONS

Compared with conventional CTA, high-resolution CTA showed superior vascular delineation with no significant change in radiation exposure. The use of high-resolution CTA with reconstructed 3D fusion images can help to simulate prior MVD. Knowing the location of the nerves and blood vessels can perioperatively guide neurosurgeons.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 9 (Aug 2023)

Open access

Management of a challenging dura-embedded anterior inferior cerebellar artery loop during a retrosigmoid hearing-preserving vestibular schwannoma resection: microsurgical technique and operative video. Illustrative case

Jaime L. Martínez Santos, Robert C. Sterner, and Mustafa K. Başkaya

BACKGROUND

Anatomical variants of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA), such as an anomalous “AICA loop” embedded in the dura and bone of the subarcuate fossa, increase the complexity and risk of vestibular schwannoma resections. Classically, osseous penetrating AICA loops are the most challenging to mobilize, as the dura must be dissected and the surrounding petrous bone must be drilled to mobilize the AICA away from the surgical corridor and out of harm.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors present a rare case of a dura-embedded, osseous-penetrating AICA loop encountered during a hearing-preserving retrosigmoid approach in which they demonstrate safe and efficient microdissection and mobilization of the AICA loop without having to drill the surrounding bone.

LESSONS

Although preoperative recognition of potentially dangerous AICA loops has been challenging, thin-sliced petrous bone computed tomography scanning and high-quality magnetic resonance imaging can be useful in preoperative diagnosis. Furthermore, this report suggests that a retrosigmoid approach is superior, as it allows early intradural recognition and proximal vascular control and facilitates more versatile mobilization of AICA loops.

In Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 6 (2023): Issue 8 (Aug 2023)