Treatment of Symptomatic Bilateral Cavernous Carotid Aneurysms: Long-term Results of 6 Cases

Abstract

Bilateral cavernous carotid aneurysms (CCAs) are very rare. A treatment strategy for symptomatic bilateral CCAs has not been established because of their complex pathogenesis. Here we report our treatment strategy and long-term results for 6 cases of symptomatic bilateral CCAs. From January 2007 to December 2013, we treated 6 patients (2 men and 4 women; mean age at first treatment, 56.0 years) with symptomatic bilateral CCAs. All patients began to experience unilateral symptoms. Five of the 6 underwent high-flow bypass (HFB) with parent artery occlusion (PAO), and 1 received PAO only. Mean follow-up period after the first treatment was 61.3 months. All symptoms improved after the treatment. Five contralateral CCAs became enlarged during the follow-up period. Of these, 4 became symptomatic. One patient received superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery bypass with PAO, 2 received HFB with PAO, and 1 refused treatment. Final modified Rankin Scale scores were 0 in 4 patients, 1 in 1 patient, and 2 in 1 patient. There was no mortality in this series. HFB with PAO is feasible as the first treatment for symptomatic bilateral CCAs. This treatment strategy steadies and simplifies future treatment of contralateral CCAs should they become symptomatic.