Microsurgical treatment of blood blister–like aneurysms: efficacy of clip-on-wrapping with autologous dura mater

Abstract

Objective

To present a consecutive 20-year series of blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs) to show that clip-on-wrapping with a Y-shaped autologous dura mater enables treatment of BBAs with a low complication rate and a satisfactory curative result.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed from patients with BBAs of the internal carotid artery (ICA) at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from 1999 to 2019. Diagnosis and treatment options were analyzed. Outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin scale (mRS).

Results

A total of 30 patients with BBAs of the ICA were included. Among these patients, 20 patients underwent microsurgical treatment (15 patients were treated by clip-on-wrapping with a Y-shaped autologous dura mater), the other 10 patients underwent endovascular treatment. All patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Four angiograms were initially negative. For all patients, intraoperative rupture occurred in five cases, but no postoperative aneurysm rupture occurred in this series. Three cases with clinical or radiologic cerebral infarctions were observed. The outcome was favorable in 26 patients.

Conclusions

Clip-reinforced wrapping technique using a Y-shaped autologous dura mater may be an effective method for treating BBAs.

Keywords:

• Blood blister-like aneurysm
• internal carotid artery
• clip-on-wrapping
• dura mater

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest concerning the materials or methods used in this study or the findings specified in this paper.