Development of anterior inferior cerebellar artery pseudoaneurysm after gamma knife surgery for vestibular schwannoma. A case report and review of the literature

Br J Neurosurg. 2014 Aug;28(4):536-8. doi: 10.3109/02688697.2013.847168. Epub 2013 Oct 10.

Abstract

Gamma knife surgery (GKS) is a well-established modality for controlling the progression of vestibular schwannomas. Adverse effects of this treatment are extremely rare but include cyst formation and malignant transformation. We report a case of anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) pseudoaneurysm development rupture presenting as a poor WFNS grade subarachnoid haemorrhage. This is only the fourth case of aneurysm development (AICA aneurysm) following GKS reported but due to its serious nature we believe this potential complication warrants awareness in those offering this treatment.

Keywords: AICA aneurysm; acoustic neuroma; gamma knife surgery; pseudoaneurysm; stereotactic radiosurgery; subarachnoid haemorrhage; vestibular neurilemmoma; vestibular schwannoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aneurysm, False / diagnosis
  • Aneurysm, False / etiology
  • Aneurysm, False / surgery*
  • Basilar Artery / pathology
  • Cerebral Arteries / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuroma, Acoustic / diagnosis
  • Neuroma, Acoustic / surgery*
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control
  • Radiosurgery / adverse effects*