Aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery

Abstract

Aneurysms represent local pathological enlargement of the brain blood vessels that occur in 5% of the population. Intracranial aneurysms in 20 to 25% of the population are localized on the middle cerebral artery, and almost 80% of them reveal at the bifurcation of the middle cerebral artery. There are a number of open issues that are debated in the scientific community for aneurysms of the middle cerebral artery. The purpose of this paper is to analyze clinical features, diagnostic and therapeutic modalities of aneurysms of the middle cerebral artery. The study population enrolled 17 patients referred to the University Clinic of Neurosurgery in Skopje, R. Macedonia during a 1-year period between January and December 2014. This study included 9 (52.94%) females and 8 (47.05%) males, ranging in age from 40 to 72 years; mean age 54.5±7.78 years. From 17 treated aneurysms, 9 aneurysms (52.94%) were located on the left MCA and 8 aneurysms (47.05%) were located on the right side. Multiple aneurysms were present in 8 patients (47.05%). The diameter of the aneurysms was in range between 3 to 14 mm, mean 7.62 mm ±3.39 mm. The mean value of the aneurysm neck was 3.2 mm. In our group 12 aneurysms (70.58%) were small and 5 aneurysms (29.41%) were medium according to the size. Patients were treated operatively and aneurysm was excluded from circulation by placing permanent clip to the neck of the aneurysm. Morphological analysis and topographical characteristics of the aneurysms of the middle cerebral artery is very important to decide the treatment of the aneurysm. Use of micro neurosurgical clipping is an effective method for the treatment of aneurysms of the middle cerebral artery.