Microsurgical and Endovascular Management of Congenital Iliac Aneurysms in the Neonatal Period: Two Cases and a Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital aneurysms of major arteries are very rare diagnoses and prognosis can be poor if treatment is not initiated rapidly. This is the presentation of two cases of infants with congenital iliac aneurysms who underwent treatment in the neonatal period. The report then proceeds with a literature review of paediatric iliac aneurysms. REPORT: Case 1: A female neonate was diagnosed antenatally with right common iliac (CIA) and internal iliac (IIA) artery aneurysms. Embolisation on day of life (DOL) eight was impossible because of partial thrombosis. The infant was subsequently observed for several months and the aneurysm was injected percutaneously with thrombin on DOL 78. A small residual aneurysm was coil embolised at five months of age. Satisfactory results were observed at one year follow up. Case 2: A female neonate was diagnosed antenatally on routine third trimester ultrasound with voluminous, bilateral CIA aneurysms. The patient underwent surgery on DOL 9 for aneurysm resection and microsurgical vascular reconstruction. The intervention was successful with triphasic flow through the anastomoses on colour Doppler ultrasound at six week follow up. DISCUSSION: Ten cases of congenital iliac aneurysms have been reported previously, with just two diagnosed in the neonatal period and eight undergoing surgical intervention. Definitive management to avoid aneurysm rupture or thrombosis should be timed carefully, and sometimes delayed with watchful waiting, to maximise success and minimise complications. Surgery is the key treatment modality, but endovascular intervention can be considered in selected cases. Congenital iliac aneurysms should be addressed at the safest time for the patient. Following resection, primary microvascular anastomosis is the ideal reconstructive technique, but other options for neonates have been described. Endovascular treatment should be considered for anatomically amenable saccular aneurysms.