PCOM Aneurysm Right & Left
A bulging in an arterial wall is called an aneurysm. Aneurysms develop if the arterial wall contains a weak spot. Internal bleeding can occur when untreated aneurysms rupture. Additionally, these aneurysms may cause blood clots, which can eventually restrict the artery’s blood supply.
PCOMs are part of the brain’s circle of Willis. It is responsible for joining the posterior cerebral and internal carotid arteries. It is responsible for supplying adequate blood supply to the brain. The aneurysms frequently occur in this posterior communicating artery.
Aneurysms of the posterior communicating artery, also known as PCOM aneurysms, are quite frequent and carry a higher risk of rupture compared to aneurysms that occur in other areas of the brain. They typically include the posterior communicating artery, which originates from the ventral surface of the intradural internal carotid artery. Due to their proximity to the oculomotor nerve, PCOM aneurysms can induce oculomotor palsy due to mass effect or hemorrhage. These aneurysms can be treated in several ways, including open surgery and endovascular techniques that may require adaptations in the context of a third nerve palsy.
PCOM Aneurysm Rupture
The precise reason for the rupture of a PCOM aneurysm is not always obvious. However, various risk factors enhance rupture risk. For example:
Hypertension: Uncontrolled hypertension strains blood vessel walls, increasing rupture risk.
Tobacco smoking: Its chemical components weaken and can rupture blood vessel walls.
Genetics: PCOM aneurysms are more likely to form and rupture in those who have a history of aneurysms in their families.
Age: As blood arteries weaken and become less flexible, aneurysm rupture risk increases.
PCOM Aneurysm Coiling
The goal of PCOM aneurysm coiling, commonly referred to as endovascular coiling, is to treat the aneurysm by enclosing it in platinum coils. These coils cause blood to coagulate within the aneurysm, which effectively isolates the condition from the blood arteries in the surrounding area.
How does the PCOM Aneurysm Coiling procedure work?
A neuro-interventional surgeon performs the PCOM aneurysm coiling operation by navigating through the blood vessels with a catheter to the aneurysm’s location. Once the catheter is in the right place, tiny coils made of platinum are carefully put into the aneurysm. The coils block blood flow into the bulging vessel by forming a blood clot in the aneurysm.
The Benefits of PCOM Aneurysm Coiling
PCOM aneurysm coiling has various advantages over standard open surgery. A few examples are as follows:
- Minimally invasive: The operation is carried out through minor incisions, which lowers the risk of problems and speeds up recovery.
- Less time in the hospital: In comparison to patients who undergo open surgery, coiling patients often spend less time in the hospital.
- Reduced risk of surgical complications: PCOM aneurysm coiling reduces the risk of infection and excessive bleeding.
PCOM Aneurysm Clipping
PCOM aneurysm clipping is a surgical procedure used to treat aneurysms on the posterior communicating artery (PCOM), an important blood supply in the brain. The goal of this surgery is to eliminate the chance for a PCOM aneurysm to burst and cause serious, even fatal, consequences.
Understanding PCOM Aneurysms
The abnormal bulging or weak regions in the wall of the PCOM are called PCOM aneurysms. These aneurysms occur for several reasons, such as inherited flaws in the artery wall or excessive blood pressure. The PCOM aneurysms can rupture and result in a subarachnoid hemorrhage, if not treated timely.
Indications for PCOM Aneurysm Clipping
The following circumstances require PCOM aneurysm clipping:
- Large or expanding PCOM aneurysms.
- Already ruptured aneurysms.
- Aneurysms that result in neurological symptoms or the compression of adjacent structures.