Ligen Shi1, Mading Zhou1, Shenbin Xu1, Qun Wu1, Wei Yan1, Jianmin Zhang2. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. 2. Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Brain Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. Electronic address: zjm135@vip.sina.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Intracavernous internal carotid artery (ICICA) aneurysm secondary to pituitary infection is exceedingly rare. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report an unusual case of a 63-year-old man who presented with acute left blepharoptosis and imaging findings of a pituitary infection. Interestingly, sudden onset of right blepharoptosis occurred after anti-infective therapy for 10 days. Digital subtraction angiography revealed a right ICICA aneurysm. After 6 months of follow-up visits, enlargement of the ICICA aneurysm was observed, and the endovascular technique of a low-profile visualized intraluminal support stent combined with 5 detachable coils was successfully performed to treat the ICICA aneurysm, with preservation of the internal carotid artery. CONCLUSION: This rare case highlights a life-threatening complication of a pituitary infection. Moreover, enlargement of the infected ICICA aneurysm could not be relieved by conservative anti-infective therapy. Endovascular treatment may be an alternative therapy for an infected ICICA aneurysm.
BACKGROUND: Intracavernous internal carotid artery (ICICA) aneurysm secondary to pituitary infection is exceedingly rare. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report an unusual case of a 63-year-old man who presented with acute left blepharoptosis and imaging findings of a pituitary infection. Interestingly, sudden onset of right blepharoptosis occurred after anti-infective therapy for 10 days. Digital subtraction angiography revealed a right ICICA aneurysm. After 6 months of follow-up visits, enlargement of the ICICA aneurysm was observed, and the endovascular technique of a low-profile visualized intraluminal support stent combined with 5 detachable coils was successfully performed to treat the ICICA aneurysm, with preservation of the internal carotid artery. CONCLUSION: This rare case highlights a life-threatening complication of a pituitary infection. Moreover, enlargement of the infected ICICA aneurysm could not be relieved by conservative anti-infective therapy. Endovascular treatment may be an alternative therapy for an infected ICICA aneurysm.