Clinical Features and Surgical Results of ICA Bifurcation Aneurysms

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aneurysms developed at internal carotid artery(ICA) bifurcation can be different from other aneurysms because there are many perforating arteries and the hemodynamic changes are characteristic. In this report, we present our cases of ICA bifurcation aneurysms and discuss the clinical features and surgical outcomes of these aneurysms. METHODS: From January 1989 to May 2001, total 808 patients(982 aneurysms) were operated for intracranial aneurysms at our hospital. Among them, twenty two patients(2.7%) had aneurysms at ICA bifurcation. We discussed clinical features according to mental status at admission, size, direction and multiplicity of aneurysms, presence of intracranial hemorrhage and rupture of ICA bifurcation aneurysms. And we also discussed the surgical results of operations depending on pre-operative Hunt-Hess grade and size of aneurysms. RESULTS: Mean age was 43.4 years old and 10 cases(45.5%) were below 40 years old. Six patients(27.2%) had large or giant aneurysms. Fifteen(68.2%) out of 22 patients had good results, 1 fair, 1 poor and 5 dead. CONCLUSION: In our ICA bifurcation aneurysm cases, we conclude that their onset is relative in younger age, and they has a higher incidence of multiple(34.6%) and larger aneurysm(27.2%) than other anterior circulatory aneurysm. And the surgical results of ICA bifurcation aneurysm are relatively poor.