CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2019; 80(S 04): S344-S345
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1697981
Skull Base: Operative Videos
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Extirpation of a Ruptured Anterior Spinal Artery Aneurysm Accompanied by Dural Arteriovenous Fistula at the Craniovertebral Junction via a Posterolateral Approach: The Management of Extradural Venous Congestion

Shunya Hanakita
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Saitama Medical Center/University, Saitama Japan
,
Soichi Oya
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Saitama Medical Center/University, Saitama Japan
,
Tsukasa Tsuchiya
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Saitama Medical Center/University, Saitama Japan
,
Masaaki Shojima
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Saitama Medical Center/University, Saitama Japan
,
Toru Matsui
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Saitama Medical Center/University, Saitama Japan
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Address for correspondence

Soichi Oya, MD, PhD
Department of Neurosurgery
Saitama Medical Center/University, 1981 Kamoda, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-8550
Japan   

Publication History

16 February 2019

25 August 2019

Publication Date:
17 October 2019 (online)

 

    Abstract

    Objective This study was aimed to discuss how to control extradural venous congestion with an increased pressure in cases of arteriovenous shunt disease of the craniovertebral junction.

    Design The study is presented through an operative video.

    Results A 77-year-old patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage had a dural arteriovenous fistula located at the C1–C2 level. Left vertebral angiography showed a fistula between the left C2 radiculomeningeal muscular artery and perivertebral plexus. Furthermore, right vertebral angiography showed a ruptured aneurysm at the aberrant branch of the anterior spinal artery originating from the contralateral vertebral artery (VA), possibly formed because of the concurrently increased pressure of the perimedullary veins. Aneurysm extirpation was planned through a posterolateral approach. To reduce venous bleeding during the approach, preoperative embolization of the radiculomeningeal muscular artery was performed. During surgery, the suboccipital triangle was exposed following layer-by-layer dissection of the suboccipital muscles ([Figs. 1] and [2]). Subperiosteal dissection of the paravertebral plexus surrounding the VA around the C1 lamina was effective to avoid venous bleeding. A bloodless operative field was achieved, and key anatomical structures, such as the C2 nerve root, feeder, and V3 portion of the left VA, were clearly identified. With a sufficient amount of lateral exposure, the ruptured anterior spinal artery aneurysm was successfully extirpated with bipolar coagulation. The patient was discharged with no neurologic deficit.

    Zoom Image
    Fig. 1 (A) The initial CT scan showing the subarachnoid hemorrhage. (B) Left vertebral angiogram demonstrating a dural arteriovenous fistula at the craniovertebral junction. (C) Right vertebral angiogram showing an aneurysm (arrow) arising at the aberrant branch of the anterior spinal artery. (D) The postoperative angiogram demonstrating the extirpation of the aneurysm (arrowhead).
    Zoom Image
    Fig. 2 (A) Intraoperative photograph showing the subperiosteal dissection technique to protect the vertebral artery and minimize the bleeding from the paravertebral plexus. (B) The sufficient posterolateral exposure was obtained with minimal bleeding. C1, C1 lamina; C2, C2 lamina; Occ, occipital bone.

    Conclusion Controlling extradural venous congestion is essential to obtain a clear operative field in cases of arteriovenous shunt disease at the craniovertebral junction.

    The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/fCT69WtAQbo.


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    Conflict of Interest

    None declared.

    Address for correspondence

    Soichi Oya, MD, PhD
    Department of Neurosurgery
    Saitama Medical Center/University, 1981 Kamoda, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-8550
    Japan   

    Zoom Image
    Fig. 1 (A) The initial CT scan showing the subarachnoid hemorrhage. (B) Left vertebral angiogram demonstrating a dural arteriovenous fistula at the craniovertebral junction. (C) Right vertebral angiogram showing an aneurysm (arrow) arising at the aberrant branch of the anterior spinal artery. (D) The postoperative angiogram demonstrating the extirpation of the aneurysm (arrowhead).
    Zoom Image
    Fig. 2 (A) Intraoperative photograph showing the subperiosteal dissection technique to protect the vertebral artery and minimize the bleeding from the paravertebral plexus. (B) The sufficient posterolateral exposure was obtained with minimal bleeding. C1, C1 lamina; C2, C2 lamina; Occ, occipital bone.