BACKGROUND
Spinal artery aneurysms are rare, and are usually found in association with
arteriovenous malformations or coarctation of the aorta.
CASE REPORT
A 42-year-old man with a ruptured anterior spinal artery aneurysm is presen
ted here. He experienced subarachnoid hemorrhage, which was confirmed by co
mputed tomography. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an aneurysm in front
of the upper part of the medulla. Angiography demonstrated bilateral verte
bral artery occlusion. Distal vertebral arteries and the basilar artery wer
e perfused via the dilated anterior spinal artery, which originates in the
right subclavian artery. The aneurysm was located at the distal part of the
anterior spinal artery, and was successfully clipped through a lateral sub
occipital craniotomy 2 months after bleeding from the aneurysm. After rehab
ilitation, the patient was able to walk with no apparent neurologic deficit
.
CONCLUSIONS
This case suggests that the anterior spinal artery as a collateral route af
ter bilateral vertebral arery occlusion is under hemodynamic stress, result
ing in aneurysm formation and rupture. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc.