Variations of the anterior cerebral artery-anterior communicating artery complex are commonly identified in aneurysm surgery. An infraoptic course of the anterior cerebral artery is exceedingly rare. Robison first described this anomaly from an anatomic dissection in 1959. A unilateral anomalous infraoptic anterior cerebral artery is more common than anomalies of bilateral infraoptic anterior cerebral arteries. We present the case of an unruptured aneurysm at the anterior communicating artery in a patient with bilateral infraoptic anterior cerebral arteries, identified by computed tomography angiography and verified during surgery. Implications for aneurysm formation and surgical treatment are discussed.
Aneurysm ; Angiography ; Anterior Cerebral Artery* ; Arteries ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Vascular Surgical Procedures

While Onyx embolization of cerebrospinal arteriovenous shunts is well-established, clinical researchers continue to broaden applications to other vascular lesions of the neuraxis. This report illustrates the application of Onyx (eV3, Plymouth, MN) embolization to vertebral body lesions, specifically, a vertebral hemangioma and renal cell carcinoma vertebral body metastatic lesion.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Hemangioma

Various anomalies for the origin of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) have been described in the literature. However, origin of the MMA from the basilar trunk is an extremely rare variant. We report on a 54-year-old female who presented with frequent headaches; magnetic resonance imaging showed a right parietal meningioma. The abnormal origin of the middle meningeal artery from the basilar artery was diagnosed by angiography performed for preoperative embolization of the tumor. We report on the case with a review of the embryologic basis, possible explanations for this aberrant origin, and its clinical implications.
Anatomic Variation ; Angiography ; Basilar Artery* ; Embryology ; Female ; Headache ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningeal Arteries* ; Meningioma ; Middle Aged ; Rabeprazole

OBJECTIVE: Preoperative endovascular embolization of intracranial tumors is performed to mitigate anticipated intraoperative blood loss. Although the usage of a wide array of embolic agents, particularly polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), has been described for a variety of tumors, literature detailing the efficacy, safety and complication rates for the usage of Onyx is relatively sparse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed our single institutional experience with pre-surgical Onyx embolization of extra-axial tumors to evaluate its efficacy and safety and highlight nuances of individualized cases. RESULTS: Five patients underwent pre-surgical Onyx embolization of large or giant extra-axial tumors within 24 hours of surgical resection. Four patients harbored falcine or convexity meningiomas (grade I in 2 patients, grade II in 1 patient and grade III in one patient), and one patient had a grade II hemangiopericytoma. Embolization proceeded uneventfully in all cases and there were no complications. CONCLUSION: This series augments the expanding literature confirming the safety and efficacy of Onyx in the preoperative embolization of extra-axial tumors, underscoring its advantage of being able to attain extensive devascularization via only one supplying pedicle.
Hemangiopericytoma ; Humans ; Meningioma ; Polyvinyl Alcohol

Objective: Transarterial Onyx embolization is the mainstay of intracranial non-cavernous dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) treatment. Although the dural arterial supply varies depending on the location, the impact of arterial access on treatment outcomes has remained unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize factors as sociated with complete obliteration following transarterial Onyx embolization, with a special focus on arterial access routes and dAVF location. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the patients who underwent transarterial Onyx embolization for intracranial dAVFs at two academic institutions was performed. Patients with angiographic follow-up were considered eligible to investigate the impact of the arterial access on achieving complete obliteration. Results: Sixty-eight patients underwent transarterial Onyx embolization of intracranial dAVFs. Complete obliteration was achieved in 65% of all treated patients and in 75% of those with cortical venous reflux. Multivariable analysis identified middle meningeal artery (MMA) access to be a significant independent predictive factor for complete obliteration (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.06-5.06; p=0.034). Subgroup analysis showed that supratentorial and lateral cerebellar convexity dAVFs (OR, 5.72, 95% CI, 1.89-17.33, p=0.002), and Borden type III classification at pre-treatment (OR, 3.13, 95% CI, 1.05- 9.35, p=0.041), were independent predictive factors for complete obliteration following embolization through the MMA. Conclusions MMA access is an independent predictive factor for complete obliteration following transarterial Onyx embolization for intracranial non-cavernous dAVFs. It is particularly effective for supratentorial and lateral cerebellar convexity dAVFs and those that are Borden type III.