Growth of small saccular aneurysms to giant aneurysms: presentation of three cases

Surg Neurol. 1994 Apr;41(4):277-80. doi: 10.1016/0090-3019(94)90172-4.

Abstract

We report on three patients with a documented small saccular aneurysm growing to a giant size over several years. In the first patient, a small dilation of the left carotid bifurcation grew to an asymptomatic giant aneurysm of 2 cm in diameter over 11 years. In the second patient, a ruptured aneurysm of the proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA) was erroneously treated by partial ligature of the MCA. Twenty-three years later, the aneurysm had grown to a giant polylobed calcified mass compressing the neighboring brain. In the third patient, a ruptured aneurysm of the dorsal part of the carotid syphon grew over 17 years to a giant calcified mass of 5 cm in diameter despite Hunterian ligation of the common carotid artery in the neck. The three reported cases illustrate the continuous growth and the long-term risks of not treating or of insufficiently treating aneurysms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / complications
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / pathology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed