Intraoperative Finding of an Anterior Communicating Artery Blister-Like Aneurysm During a Primary Craniopharyngioma Resection: Accidental or Incidental?

BACKGROUND:The presence of an anterior communicating artery blister-like aneurysm in the setting of a craniopharyngioma has never been reported to our knowledge. CASE DESCRIPTION:This patient was admitted to our service for an untreated craniopharyngioma resection. An anterior interhemispheric approach with right frontal craniotomy was performed and a blister-like aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery was found during the surgery. After the tumor was completely resected, a suturing technique was used for the aneurysm. In this article, we are going to present this rare case and discuss the potential pathogeny of the aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS:We hypothesized that cystic craniopharyngioma may rupture spontaneously. The cystic fluid accumulated in the lower subarachnoid space due to gravity, and it may lead to local vascular cytotoxic and inflammatory reactions which may result in the vascular wall remodeling and lead to the reconstructed vascular wall weakness.