Skull Base 2002; 12(4): 197-202
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-35751
CASE REPORT

Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Giant Fusiform Basilar Artery Aneurysm Causing Obstructive Hydrocephalus

Fazil Gelal1 , Berna Dirim Vidinli1 , Alaattin Yurt2 , Yusuf Cakir2 , Murat Uygur3
  • 1Izmir State Hospital, Department of Radiology, Izmir, Turkey
  • 2Institution of Social Security, Izmir Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Izmir, Turkey
  • 3Izemar Medical Center, Izmir, Turkey
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
14 May 2004 (online)

ABSTRACT

A 58-year-old man presented with a sudden onset gait disturbance and urinary incontinence. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR angiography showed a fusiform basilar artery aneurysm, 2 cm in diameter and 5 cm long. The aneurysm was thrombosed except the ectatic basilar artery flowing through it. Compression of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathways caused obstructive hydrocephalus with resultant transependymal CSF leakage. Conventional angiography missed the aneurysm. A one-sided ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed to treat the patient's hydrocephalus. The patient's symptoms improved after surgery. MR imaging and MR angiography were useful noninvasive methods of detecting the aneurysm, defining its relationship with surrounding structures, and determining the cause of the hydrocephalus.

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