Dissecting aneurysm of the posterior spinal artery: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Background and importance: Because of their rarity, the pathogenesis and clinical features of isolated spinal artery aneurysms are still unclear, and their diagnoses and treatments are challenging. We report a case of an isolated posterior spinal artery aneurysm and review previous reports thoroughly to identify the general features of isolated spinal aneurysms.

Clinical presentation: A 52-year-old man presented with abdominal pain followed by back pain and radiculopathy from subarachnoid hemorrhage in the spinal canal. The spinal angiogram demonstrated the presence of a dissecting aneurysm of the posterior spinal artery. He was treated by endovascular occlusion of the origin of the radiculopial artery and recovered completely.

Conclusion: Isolated spinal artery aneurysms are very rare lesions; however, they should be considered in patients with intracranial or spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage without evidence of arteriovenous malformations. Spinal aneurysms have different etiologies compared with intracranial aneurysms. Cervical aneurysms have worse outcomes than thoracolumbar aneurysms. The etiology and location of the lesion and distal flow to the lesion should be taken into consideration when planning the treatment.