Azygos anterior cerebral artery aneurysm with subarachnoid hemorrhage

Azygos anterior cerebral artery (ACA) is type I variation of ACA with a reported incidence of < 1% in population^[1]. This variation predisposes to the formation of aneurysm especially at the bifurcation zone. The aneurysm develops because of double hemodynamic pressure supplying medial surface of both cerebral hemispheres.

However reported incidence of saccular aneurysm in azygos ACA is between 13% and 71%^[2,3]. It is often associated with other central nervous system (CNS) malformations like agenesis of corpus callosum, hydranencephaly and other vascular malformations^[4].

In this paper we report a patient who presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Later on we did three dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) image. She was then diagnosed as a case of azygos ACA aneurysm.

A 50-year-old female presented with a history of sudden onset of severe headache followed by transient loss of consciousness. There was no previous history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. During admission she had mild dull aching headache and neck rigidity. There was no focal neurological deficit (Hunt and Hess grade-I).

Four hours after the incident, CT scan of brain revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage in the basal cistern and hematoma in the interhemispheric fissure [Figure 1] which was Fisher CT scan grade 3. After 7 days of the incident repeat CT scan of brain was done which showed diminution of the size of hematoma [Figure 2]. At that time, a 3D CT angiogram revealed single saccular aneurysm from the bifurcation zone of azygos ACA [Figure 3A and B].

Figure 1. CT scan of brain shows subarachnoid hemorrhage and hematoma in the interhemispheric fissure. CT: computed tomography

Figure 2. After 7 days, CT scan of brain shows diminution of the size of hematoma. CT: computed tomography

Figure 3. (A) 3D CT angiogram demonstrating a saccular aneurysm arising from the bifurcation zone of azygos ACA; (B) 3D CT angiogram showing a 5.9 by 7.4 mm saccular aneurysm. 3D: three dimensional; CT: computed tomography

The patient underwent right paramedian frontal craniotomy and clipping of the aneurysm through anterior interhemispheric approach. After application of temporary clip on unpaired A2 segment, dissection of aneurysm neck was done and a curved fenestrated titanium clip was applied keeping the callosomarginal artery within the fenestration. There was no peroperative rupture of the aneurysm during dissection of aneurysm neck and fundus. Post-operative periods were uneventful.

Two months after the surgery, we did 3D CT angiogram which showed the patency of the vessels and the complete obliteration of the aneurysm [Figure 4A and B].

Figure 4. (A and B) Post-operative 3D CT angiogram demonstrating complete obliteration of the aneurysm. 3D: three dimensional; CT: computed tomography

According to Baptista^[7], there are three variations of ACA [Figure 5]. Type 1 anomaly [Figure 5A] denotes azygos ACA from which all major vessels arise and supply both hemispheres. In type II variation [Figure 5B] both right and left A2 present and major branches supplying both hemispheres arises from dominant A2. Type III anomaly [Figure 5C and D] denotes accessory ACA arising from anterior communicating artery. In our case, the surgery was done on the basis of 3D CT angiogram findings and azygos nature of ACA was confirmed preoperatively.

Figure 5. (A) Azygos ACA in which single ACA feeds into medial surface of both cerebral hemisphere. ACA: anterior cerebral artery; (B) Bihemispheric ACA, in which two ACA , one is dominant with branches extending into contralateral hemisphere; (C and D) Accessory ACA in which a median artery supply either one or both hemispheres. ACA: anterior cerebral artery

Though reported incidence of azygos ACA is < 1%^[1], Ghanta et al.^[6] reported that 25% cases of distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms were associated with azygos ACA. Katz et al.^[7] found 17% ACA aneurysm among 36 DACA aneurysm cases. The nature of the aneurysm was mostly saccular. Although saccular bilobed aneurysm of ACA was also reported by Jagetia et al.^[8].

Both surgical clipping and endovascular coiling can be done to manage azygos ACA aneurysm. In our case, temporary clip was applied for 5 min in proximal unpaired A2 segment. Then a dissection of the aneurysm neck was done and finally a permanent clip was applied. There was no neurological deficit in her post-operative period.

In conclusion, we can say that azygos aneurysm can be clipped well without any postoperative morbidity and mortality. Though we tried to manage this case in an emergency basis, we failed due to the patient’s poor financial condition.