Evaluation of Three-dimensional Angiography for Surgery of Aneurysms on the Anterior Communicating Artery

Obtaining detailed anatomical information is crucial before aneurysm microsurgery. The anterior cerebral communicating artery complex (AcoC) is particularly complicated compared to other parts. The anatomical structure of the AcoC is sometimes difficult to understand using conventional angiography. We evaluated the advantages of 3-dimensional digital angiography (3D-DA) for aneurysm microsurgery on the anterior cerebral communicating artery. Subjects comprised 10 men and 5 women (mean age, 61 years; range, 33-79 years) who underwent surgery in our hospital between November 2002 and October 2005. Twelve aneurysms were ruptured, and 3 aneurysms were unruptured. We compared 3D-DA images and surgical findings to assess aneurysmal morphology and relationships to neighboring vessels. We also examined both the presence and visualization of variations on AcoC. In all cases, surgical findings corresponded well to 3D-DA images. Variations on AcoC included fenestration (n=3), azygos (n=1) and aplasia or hypoplasia of the A1 segment of a unilateral anterior cerebral artery (n=9), and these were all well-visualized in 3D-DA. In addition, 3D-DA was also useful for aneurysms with 2 domes for selection of surgical approach, and provided assessment of not only aneurysmal morphology, but also variations of AcoC. This tool provided useful information for the selection of operation approach and intraoperative manipulations by using it together with 2-dimensional digital substraction angiography.