COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY (CT) LOCALIZED STEREOTAXIC CRANIOTOMY FOR EXCISION OF A BACTERIAL INTRACRANIAL ANEURYSM

BACKGROUND The treatment of bacterial intracranial aneurysms include l ong-term antibiotic therapy and surgical clipping or resection, Direct surgical approaches to these aneurysms are often complicated by their peripheral location. METHODS We report the use of a computerized tomo graphy (CT) localized stereotactic craniotomy for the excision of a ru ptured peripheral bacterial intracranial aneurysm. RESULTS The Leksell Steiner-Lindquist microsurgical guide, with its fiberoptic helium-neo n laser, allowed for rapid isolation of the distal aneurysm with minim al cerebral dissection. Since the inflammatory lesion was well demonst rated on postcontrast CT scan, this modality, rather than angiography, was used for localization. CONCLUSIONS In the future, stereotactic cr aniotomy may facilitate aggressive surgical therapy for infectious ane urysms previously thought not suitable for direct operative approach.