Ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm encased in a tuberculum sellae meningioma - Case report

This 70-year-old woman suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm encased in a meningioma in the tuberculum sellae. Although preoperative magnetic resonance imaging disclosed that the aneurysmal complex was completely enclosed in the tumor, angiographic studies did not reveal arterial narrowing. The embedded aneurysm caused diffuse SAH rather than intratumoral hemorrhage. These factors indicated very little adhesion between the tumor and the encased arteries. Surgery was performed on the 20th day post-SAH. Intraoperative findings revealed that the tumor did not adhere to the enclosed vasculature except at the point of rupture of the aneurysm. The authors were able to clip the aneurysm safely after piecemeal removal of the tumor, which was finally extirpated without fear of aneurysm rupture. Careful stepwise procedures were essential to treat the aneurysm and the tumor simultaneously.