Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences 2009 December;53(4):169-70

Copyright © 2010 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Bilateral intracavernous carotid artery aneu-rysms presenting as abducens nerve palsy: case report

Caroli M. ¹, Bertani G. ¹, Fetoni V. ², Sasanelli F. ², Gaini S. M. ¹, Samis Zella M. A. ¹ ✉

¹ Unit of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurological Sciences, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Milan, Italy; ² Department of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliera Vizzolo Predabissi, Melegnano, Milan, Italy

Bilateral intracavernous carotid artery aneurysms are very rare and can be usually observed in patients with multiple intracranial aneurysms. Here we present the case of a 73 year-old woman who experienced worsening diplopia due to progressive bilateral paresis of the lateral rectus muscles. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations showed bilateral roundish parasellar and intracavernous masses, with homogeneous contrast-enhancement and absence of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Cerebral angiography revealed bilateral aneurysms of the intracavernous carotid artery. Once considered the age of the patient, the anatomical features of the aneurysms and the risks of traditional or endovascular surgery, we decided not to proceed to any treatment other than the orthoptic correction of the diplopia and the careful correction of arterial hypertension. We provide a brief review of the literature on bilateral intracavernous aneurysms and a discussion about their treatment.