Microsurgical treatment of posterior circulation aneurysms: an institutional experience from Nepal

Abstract

Background Management strategies and outcomes of patients with posterior circulation aneurysms are varied due to uncertainty in the optimal treatment modality and limited experience of neurosurgeons. Data are scarce regarding patients with posterior circulation aneurysms from developing countries. This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics, management strategies and outcome of patients with these aneurysms treated microsurgically in an academic institute in Nepal. Methods The clinical records of patients confirmed to have posterior circulation aneurysms treated microsurgically between July 2014 and July 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic and clinical characteristics, morphometric characteristics of aneurysms, management strategies, postoperative complications, and one-year outcomes were described. Results Out of 220 aneurysms in 190 patients, 20 were posterior circulation aneurysms. The median age of the patients was 43 (15–60) years. All were ruptured aneurysms. The admission Hunt and Hess grades of 18 (90%) patients were ≤ III. The posterior inferior cerebellar artery (8) was the commonest location. The postoperative complications rate was 20%, with the overall mortality of 10%. 80% of patients had a favorable outcome at one year follow up. Conclusions The patient characteristics and outcome are comparable with those described in the literature from other countries. With an individualized and careful selection strategy, our results are satisfactory despite fewer operations.