Development of 'De novo' aneurysm after therapeutic carotid occlusion

Abstract

Carotid occlusion is an inevitable therapeutic modality for the treatment of complex aneurysms such as giant, traumatic, and intracavernous aneurysms. Late complications of carotid occlusion include 'de novo' aneurysm formation at a distant site because of hemodynamic changes in the circle of Willis. We report a case of de novo aneurysm in a vessel that appeared to be normal on initial angiography. The patient developed an anterior communicating artery aneurysm and marked growth of a basilar bifurcation aneurysm 9 years after trapping of the left internal carotid artery for the treatment of a ruptured large saccular aneurysm involving ophthalmic and cavernous segments. We propose that patients who undergo therapeutic carotid occlusion should be periodically followed by magnetic resonance angiography or computed tomographic angiography to evaluate the possibility of de novo aneurysm formation; this advice is in line with previous reports. Copyright © 2009 The Korean Neurosurgical Society.