Kalani M Yashar S, Nakaji Peter, Zabramski Joseph M, Spetzler Robert F
Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona.
Neurosurg Focus. 2015 Jan;38(VideoSuppl1):Video12. doi: 10.3171/2015.V1.FOCUS14554.
Posterior circulation aneurysms are commonly treated with endovascular techniques. In select cases, microsurgery remains an essential tool for treating these lesions. We present a case of a ruptured posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysm approached via a craniotomy. Given the labyrinth of neurovascular bundles present in the posterior fossa, surgical exposure of PICA aneurysms can be challenging. This video demonstrates the steps of the craniotomy, subarachnoid dissection, mobilization of the vertebral artery and lower cranial nerves, and clipping of the aneurysm. The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/fQSxQj7oL0U .