An unusual case of a giant extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm

Abstract

Objective Extracranial vertebral artery (VA) aneurysms are rare and are often post-traumatic secondary to penetrating or blunt injuries. Primary extracranial VA aneurysms are far less common. Most of these lesions are located in the proximal (V1) and middle (V2) segments of the VA. Method We report an extremely rare case of a giant aneurysm of the extracranial vertebral artery in a 50-year-old woman who presented with a right posterior neck swelling, headache and pain at the site of the mass. Angiography confirmed aneurysm of V3 segment of the right VA. Treatment included ligation of the artery and aneurysmectomy. Result Magnetic resonance angiography at 12 months showed obliterated proximal segment of the right VA with no obvious flow distally. Conclusion Aneurysms of the extracranial VA are clinically relevant because of the associated risks of rupture and distal embolization. For patients with rupture, pending rupture or a significant mass effect due to a giant lesion, surgery is the treatment modality of choice to attain symptomatic relief.