抄録
Twenty one patients with giant aneurysms of the intracranial internal carotid artery were experienced from 1961 to the end of 1980. Three out of 21 were given no treatment and the remaining 18 were treated by indirect surgery; carotid ligation was performed in 13 cases and carotid ligation with STA-MCA anastomosis in five. At follow-up, 15 cases were living useful lives; nine of these cases were treated by carotid ligation, five by carotid ligation with STA-MCA anastomosis and one had no surgical treatment. Fourteen out of 15 living cases were examined by CT scan to investigate the fate of the giant aneurysm following carotid ligation. Sequential CT findings of the giant aneurysm were as follows. The cavity of the giant aneurysm was filled with clots within one week after ligation. Most of the cavity was thrombosed and a small residual cavity was visualized within 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. A thick mural thrombus was organized gradually between 4 and 6 weeks but a narrowed residual aneurysmal cavity still existed. Further organization and calcification of the thrombus and aneurysmal wall progressed for several years. More than 5 years following carotid ligation, a small residual cavity was thrombosed and the aneurysm could not be detected by CT scan. CT findings which prove the effectiveness of indirect surgical treatment were observed in 11 out of 13 patients (84.6%). However, complications after carotid ligation cannot be neglected; four out of 18 patients were lost. Therefore, combined therapy consisting of neck internal carotid ligation and STA-MCA anastomosis is recommended to prevent complications due to carotid ligation. Sequential CT scans are very useful for observation of the fate of the giant aneurysm after carotid ligation and the effectiveness of therapy, and for evoluation of the prognosis of patients.
