Open Access Case Report
Journal of Vascular
Medicine & Surgery
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ISSN: 2329-6925
Backhaus et al., Vasc Med Surg 2017, 5:3
DOI: 10.4172/2329-6925.1000319
Volume 5 • Issue 3 • 1000319 J Vasc Med Surg, an open access journal
ISSN: 2329-6925
*Corresponding author: Dr. Roland Backhaus, Department of Neurology,
University of Regensburg, Universitätsstrasse 84, 93053 Regensburg, Germany,
Tel: 0941-941-0; E-mail: Roland.backhaus@gmail.com
Received May 31, 2017; Accepted June 26, 2017; Published June 29, 2017
Citation: Backhaus R, Kremmler L, Kirzinger L, Wendl C, Schlachetzki F (2017)
Neurovascular Compression Syndrome after Coiling Intracranial Aneurysm. J Vasc
Med Surg 5: 319. doi: 10.4172/2329-6925.1000319
Copyright: © 2017 Backhaus R, et al. This is an open-access article distributed
under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the
original author and source are credited.
Neurovascular Compression Syndrome after Coiling Intracranial
Aneurysm
Backhaus R
1
*, Kremmler L
1
, Kirzinger L
1
, Wendl C
2
and Schlachetzki F
1
1
Department of Neurology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstrasse 84, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
2
Department of Radiology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstrasse 84, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
Abstract
Objectives: Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms using detachable coils is an established method
by interventional radiologists. Next to prevention of subarachnoidal hemorrhage, prospective and retrospective
studies have shown relief of symptoms caused by the mass effect of the aneurysm following this treatment.
Patients and methods: We present cases of endovascular treated intracranial aneurysms in patients developing
focal neurological symptoms due to a local perianeurysmal infammation. Furthermore, we review the literature to
increase awareness of this complication, its pathophysiology and therapeutic options.
Results: Only rare cases of local perianeurysmal infammation have been reported in literature. Clinical symptoms
are heterogenous, up to focal seizures or symptoms of acute hydrozephalus. Pathophysiological, thrombembolism,
local infammatory and mass are possible aetiological factors. However, overall long-term prognosis is good.
Conclusion: Neurovascular compression syndrome after intracraniel aneurysm coiling is a rare and possibly
delayed complication. With regard to various causes, diagnostic and therapeutic options should be considered.
Keywords: Neurovascular; Intracranial aneurysma; Infammatory;
Vertebrobasilar circulation
Abbreviations: ADC: Apparent Difusion Coefcient; CSF:
Cerebrospinal Fluid; CT: Computed Tomography; CTA: Computed
Tomography Angiography; DSA: Digital Subtraction Angiography;
DWI: Difusion-Weighted Imaging; FLAIR: Fluid Attenuated Inversion
Recovery; FLASH: Fast Low Angle Shot; IV: Intravenous; MCA:
Middle Cerebral Artery; MRA: Magnetic Resonance Angiography;
MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; PCA: Posterior Cerebral Artery;
rtPA: Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator; TCD: Transcranial
Doppler Sonography; TOF: Time-of-Flight
Introduction
Endovascular treatment of aneurysms using detachable coils
has evolved as a preferred alternative to classical surgical clipping to
prevent rupture and subarachnoidal haemorrhage. For aneurysms
located within the vertebrobasilar circulation, in particular, this
treatment is frst choice. Coil-induced closure of the aneurysm sac
fnally may reduce the lesion’s mass efect on surrounding tissue with
a consequent reduction in neurological symptoms, if symptoms due
to mass efect occurred. Most reported complications of endovascular
coiling include coil displacement, aneurysm rupture or puncture,
artery dissection, and cerebral embolism. Only anecdotal information
exists on progression of aneurysm size, local infammation, and abscess
formation afer endovascular treatment. First, we present the case of
a 49-year-old woman in whom a complex set of complications arose
afer aneurysm coiling and discuss current views on the subject and
possible therapeutic options for rare side efects. In a second case we
report about a 62-year-old man sufering from reduced consciousness,
hemiparesis and dysarthria about three weeks afer successful coiling of
two intracranial aneurysms.
Patients and Methods
Case 1: A 49-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital for mild
right-sided hemiparesis due to an ischemic stroke in the subcortical white
matter of the lef hemisphere, which was classifed as a lacunar stroke.
During a diagnostic workup an asymptomatic aneurysm of the basilar
artery was found (Figure 1). Diagnostic intra-arterial digital subtraction
angiography (DSA), performed before interventional treatment,
revealed that the aneurysm measured 9 × 6 mm and was accompanied
by a small daughter aneurysm. Coils were placed in successful in both
aneurysms. At the end of the procedure, a small coil loop could be seen
to protrude from the larger compartment overlapping the small side
aneurysm (Figure 1). Eight hours afer the intervention the patient
developed bilateral mydriasis, which was followed by a progressive loss
of consciousness. Emergency cerebral CT scanning with CTA ruled
out the presence of aneurysm bleeding or ruptures but showed partial
obliteration of the P
1
section of both posterior cerebral arteries (PCAs).
IV treatment with the gpIIb/IIIa inhibitor (tirofban) was introduced.
Immediate DSA confrmed the fndings of the CTA with intraluminal
sparing of contrast media, which were suggestive of fresh thrombotic
material in both PCAs (Figure 2). Afer local thrombolytic treatment
with 4 mg rtPA, the patient recovered well. MRI revealed multiple
small ischemic lesions with haemorrhagic transformation within
the cerebellum and PCA territories; however, the patient showed no
neurological defcits and was discharged from the hospital 5 days later.
Te patient was sent home on a regimen of acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg/
day) and low-molecular-weight heparin (certoparin) for thrombosis
prophylaxis. One week later the patient presented at the emergency
room with progressive headaches and undulating double vision as well