Temporary balloon occlusion of a proximal vessel as an aid to clipping aneurysms of the basilar and paraclinoid internal carotid arteries: technical note.

One aneurysm of the basilar artery and three large, paraclinoid aneurysms of the internal carotid artery (ICA) were treated with the aid of intraoperative temporary balloon occlusion of the vessel. Optimal clip placement was confirmed using intraoperative angiography. This technique provided excellent proximal vascular control and for the large aneurysms of the paraclinoid ICA obviated the need for surgical exposure of the ICA in the neck. We think this is a useful adjunct in the surgical management of aneurysms of both the basilar artery and proximal ICA.