Traumatic aneurysm and carotid-cavernous fistula following transsphenoidal approach to a pituitary adenoma: treatment by transcranial operation

Abstract

A 39-year old woman presented with galactorrhoea. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intrasellar tumour. During transsphenoidal surgery to remove the tumour, arterial bleeding occurred from the right internal carotid artery (ICA). The bleeding was stopped by packing with Surgicel. The operation was discontinued at this point and the intrasellar tumour was not removed. Four-vessel angiography was performed on the third day after the operation, revealing a traumatic (false) ICA aneurysm and a low-flow carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) on the right side. The patient did not have any neurological deficit, and was re-operated on transcranially. Both the traumatic ICA aneurysm and the CCF were excluded from the circulation by a Sundt-Kees cuff clip. The patency of the ICA was preserved.