Monitored gradual occlusion of the internal carotid artery followed by ligation for giant internal carotid artery aneurysms

Abstract

To demonstrate a technique of gradual monitored occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) followed by ligation for giant aneurysms as an option for balloon test occlusion followed by permanent ligation of ICA. Authors retrospectively analyzed 27 patients with giant and complex ICA aneurysms who underwent carotid artery ligation between January 2001 and December 2010. Clinical presentation included headache, vision loss and diplopia. There were 19 patients with cavernous aneurysm, 5 supraclinoid, 1 ophthalmic, 1 petrous segment and 1 cervical segment aneurysm located extracranially. All demonstrated good cross-circulation. Selverstone clamp was used for gradual occlusion of the ICA over 72 h under closed observation in the intensive care unit. Six patients developed hemiparesis in the postoperative period. Improvement occurred in one patient over two to three weeks while the remaining five patients had residual hemiparesis. One patient developed malignant MCA infarct for which decompressive craniectomy had to be done. There was no mortality in the present series. Gradual monitored occlusion and ICA ligation may be a simple, safe alternative procedure to clipping in surgically inaccessible and complex aneurysms, especially for surgeons with limited experience. Cross circulation study is an absolute requisite for carotid ligation.