Anatomy and Embryology of the pericallosal artery (PCA)
PC, originating from the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), is crucial for supplying the corpus callosum and adjacent brain regions (4, 5). It ascends through the lamina terminalis cistern, traverses the interhemispheric fissure, and enters the callosal cistern above the corpus callosum, following its superior aspect (6). According to Fischer’s classification, the ACA is divided into several segments: the A2 segment extends from the ACoA to the junction of the rostrum and genu of the corpus callosum; the A3 segment curves around the genu; and the A4 and A5 segments are located above the corpus callosum (6). The A3 segment, distal to the calloso-marginal artery (CMA) origin, is often referred to as the PC artery due to its extension into the pericallosal sulcus (31). The cingulate gyrus differentiates the CMA from the PCA, though the term "pericallosal artery" is frequently misapplied to the A2 segment (5, 6, 32).
Anatomical variations include the bihemispheric ACA, where one side terminates in the cingulate sulcus and is supplemented by a collateral branch from the contralateral PCA. This branch crosses the midline through a foramen in the falx cerebri, supplying the majority of the PrCA's territory on the opposite side (6). The artery's termination remains debated; it may either persist in its fetal form to supply the splenium or regress, with splenium blood supply provided by branches of the posterior cerebral artery (4). Understanding these variations is crucial for neurosurgical and endovascular procedures to avoid neurological deficits (5, 16, 17).
The development of the corpus callosum and its vascularization occurs between the 10th and 12th weeks of gestation. Vascularization is detectable in 85% of cases between the 12th and 21st weeks using high-definition Doppler imaging, originating from the ACA (33, 34). By 11 weeks, the artery ascends in the lamina terminalis cistern, travels through the interhemispheric fissure, and enters the callosal cistern above the corpus callosum. As gestation progresses, the artery follows the superior aspect of the corpus callosum, becoming more defined, with its main branches visible by 16 weeks (33). This developmental process reflects its essential role in supplying the growing brain.
Aneurysms of the pericallosal artery
Prevalence and Risk factors
PCAAs are relatively rare, comprising less than 9% of all intracranial aneurysms and about 4% of ruptured cases (1–3, 35). Genetic and hormonal factors are significant in their occurrence, with a higher prevalence noted in females and individuals aged 40 to 60 years (7–12). Estrogen's role is particularly noted in this gender disparity (7, 8, 11). While congenital causes are the most common for PCAAs, those in atypical locations have also been linked to vascular anomalies, trauma, and infections (3). PCAAs multiplicity is not uncommon, with some studies reporting rates over 40% (3, 36), and there are documented cases of iatrogenic PCAAs (15, 37). The fact that over a third of studies identified risk factors highlights their significant role in PCAAs development, confirming the influence of genetic, physiological, or lifestyle factors on their pathogenesis (13, 14). Our demographic analysis reveals a significant gender disparity with females constituting 70.47% of the study population and males 29.53%. The age distribution of patients ranged from 34 to 60 years, with a mean age of 49.93 years.
Clinical and Radiological Features
Unruptured PCAAs can present with clinical variability that may lead to misdiagnosis. Symptoms such as sudden, severe headaches, vomiting, transient loss of consciousness, neck pain, nuchal stiffness, and incontinence can mimic those of SAH (15). For instance, a patient with systemic hypertension might experience these symptoms, which can also include personality changes, complicating diagnosis (15–17). Additionally, aneurysms may be mistakenly identified as space-occupying lesions like meningiomas, resulting in symptoms such as headaches, seizures, and speech alterations (18). Advanced imaging techniques, including CT scans, MRIs, and digital cerebral angiography, are crucial for accurate diagnosis, revealing the aneurysm’s true nature and its potential mass effect on adjacent brain structures (18).
Demographics and radiological findings:
Cerebral aneurysms typically measure between 5 and 7 mm in diameter, though they can range from 2 mm to 25 mm (38). Larger aneurysms generally have a higher rupture risk and more severe clinical implications (39). Research shows that both small (< 5 mm) and large (≥ 5 mm) ruptured intracranial aneurysms exhibit higher Size Ratio (SR), Undulation Index (UI), Ellipticity Index (EI), and Oscillatory Shear Index (OSI), and lower Wall Shear Stress (WSS) compared to unruptured ones. Small ruptured aneurysms are more common in patients with multiple aneurysms, while large ones are associated with higher maximum WSS and younger patients (39). Similar patterns in morphological parameters, such as increased aspect ratios and inflow angles, have been observed (9).
Despite their smaller size, PCAAs carry a high risk of rupture, leading to significant morbidity and mortality if untreated (36, 37). Our study found an average aneurysm size of 6.34 mm, with a range from 3.3 mm to 16.0 mm, indicating that PCAAs often fall within the smaller range of aneurysms. This variability in size, coupled with the associated clinical risks, suggests that rupture risk is influenced by both aneurysm size and other factors. For example, even small aneurysms in the posterior communicating artery (Pcom), with diameters less than 4 mm, can have a significant rupture risk (40).
Aneurysm location and morphology further complicate treatment. For instance, aneurysms at the junction of the pericallosal and callosomarginal arteries, as well as those in the anterior communicating artery (ACom), pose additional challenges for both surgical and endovascular approaches (41–43). Most aneurysms are saccular (berry), characterized by a round sac with a narrow neck, though fusiform aneurysms also occur (44).
Distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms, including PCAAs, often rupture at smaller sizes compared to other intracranial aneurysms, indicating a need for proactive treatment even in small, unruptured cases (45). Effective surgical intervention requires careful dissection, with outcomes ranging from full recovery to severe disability or death (45). Our study highlights a higher incidence of ruptured PCAAs, suggesting these aneurysms might have subtle or asymptomatic features that predispose them to rupture or result in delayed diagnosis (8–10, 27). The frequent reporting of SAH underscores its critical role that impacts the clinical course of aneurysms, stressing the need for vigilant management and individualized treatment plans considering patient age, risk factors, and aneurysm characteristics, as rupture risk does not always correlate with aneurysm size across different cerebral arteries (46).
Treatment Modalities and Approaches
Evidence from retrospective studies demonstrates that both microsurgical and endovascular approaches are technically viable and generally result in favorable outcomes for managing pericallosal artery aneurysms (Fig. 9) (2). The trend toward endovascular treatments has grown due to their minimally invasive nature, bolstered by technological advancements and improved patient outcomes (10). Among these techniques, coil embolization is commonly used for its effectiveness and minimally invasive approach, leading to high success rates (47). Flow diverters are effective for large or complex aneurysms by redirecting blood flow to induce thrombosis and closure (21, 22). Onyx liquid embolization is employed for aneurysms with irregular shapes or wide necks, where the embolic agent solidifies upon contact with blood to occlude the aneurysm (23). Stent-assisted coiling, which involves placing coils with a stent, helps stabilize the coils and improve outcomes for wide-necked aneurysms (48, 49). In cases of challenging anatomy, such as tortuous vessels or SAH, balloon inflation in the proximal middle cerebral artery can facilitate access to the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery by creating a rebound effect (24). The choice of technique is tailored to the aneurysm’s characteristics and the patient's condition to ensure optimal results with minimal invasiveness. In our study endovascular treatment was reported in 86.96% of studies.
Surgical clipping approaches vary depending on the aneurysm's location, size, and complexity. The interhemispheric approach is commonly used, offering direct access to midline aneurysms with minimal brain manipulation (50–52). For ruptured aneurysms with high rupture risk, combining the anterior interhemispheric approach with the pterional or subfrontal approach can facilitate early proximal vascular control (20). The pterional approach, involving craniotomy near the pterion, provides a broad view and can be combined with other techniques for enhanced control (53). The median supraorbital keyhole approach is effective for clipping DACA aneurysms and is also used for pericallosal and frontopolar artery aneurysms, offering good access, control, and cosmetic results (54). In our study, surgical management was reported in 86.96% of the included studies. Among these, 17.39% specifically utilized the interhemispheric approach, while the remaining studies did not specify the surgical technique used. The limited detail on surgical approaches in many reports highlights the need for standardized documentation. Improved reporting will enhance research comparability and reproducibility.
In the management of PCAAs, various bypass techniques have been utilized, each with different outcomes. An A2-A3 fusiform aneurysm can be addressed through a radial artery graft bypass with proximal occlusion or by reimplanting the callosomarginal artery into the pericallosal artery with distal occlusion. Both methods can achieve aneurysm obliteration (28, 55). For A3 aneurysms, treatment options were documented like segment with aneurysm excision and reanastomosis or a vertical side-to-side anastomosis between the distal callosomarginal and pericallosal arteries. However, direct reanastomosis has been associated with bypass occlusion (55, 56). No bypass techniques were documented in the retrospective analyses included in our systematic review.
Complications and Outcome measures
The primary complication of PCAAs is rupture, often leading to significant intracerebral hemorrhage and hematoma formation, typically in the frontal lobe, pericallosal cistern, or cingulate gyrus. This results in elevated intracranial pressure and severe neurological deficits (57). Our study confirms these findings, with 56.5% of studies reporting vasospasms and 87% documenting SAH. Additionally, intraventricular hemorrhage was noted in 21.73% of studies, and hydrocephalus in 17.39%, underscoring the serious nature of these complications.
The timing of intervention significantly impacts complication rates. Literature suggests that earlier intervention, within 96 hours of hemorrhage, results in fewer complications compared to treatment administered 14 days post-bleeding (3). Our results corroborate this, showing varied complication rates across treatment modalities. Hydrocephalus, for instance, was reported in 26.1% of studies using microsurgical techniques, 30.4% with endovascular treatments, and only 4.35% in studies using combined treatments. This variation highlights how timely intervention and treatment type can influence outcomes.
The prevalence of vasospasms and intraprocedural ruptures illustrates the inherent risks of treating PCAs (25). Mortality rates for PCAAs highlight the severity of the condition, with a reported mortality rate of 6.82% in our analysis (25, 50, 58). This supports earlier findings that PCAAs, particularly those with severe SAH, are associated with high mortality and morbidity rates (3).
Surgical clipping is associated with several risks, including postoperative neurological deficits, especially when substantial brain retraction or manipulation is necessary. Other risks include surgical site infections, complications related to anesthesia, and intraoperative hemorrhage (59). Our study also identified complications arising from SAH, such as hydrocephalus, vasospasm, and cerebral ischemia, which require meticulous intensive care management (59). Specifically, our analysis revealed that vasospasms occurred in 43.5% of cases, bleeding complications were observed in 17.4%, and intraprocedural rupture was noted in 26.1%.
Endovascular management can result in incomplete aneurysm occlusion, which may necessitate further interventions or lead to aneurysm recurrence. Our findings indicate a 13% recurrence rate within six months, with complications such as coil migration or compaction also observed (59). Mortality associated with SAH was noted in 9.1%, underscoring the severe nature of ruptured aneurysms (59). Specifically, our study found that vasospasm occurred in 52.2% of cases, bleeding complications were noted in 13.04%, and intraprocedural rupture was present in 34.8% of studies.
Several factors influence the prognosis of PCAAs. The severity of SAH at initial presentation is a critical determinant, with higher grades generally indicating worse outcomes (60). Intracerebral hematoma also significantly impacts prognosis. Recurrent bleeding before surgical intervention complicates the condition further (30). Our findings highlight the importance of timely surgical intervention, as well as the impact of factors such as patient age, the presence of multiple aneurysms, and the experience of the surgeon on overall outcomes (29).
Limitations
This systematic review has several limitations. The variability in reporting across studies, including incomplete details on surgical approaches and treatment modalities, complicates comparisons and limits the reliability of our conclusions. Differences in patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, and treatment protocols contribute to heterogeneity, affecting the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, the average follow-up duration of 20.77 months varies widely, impacting long-term outcome assessments. Some treatment modalities, such as bypass techniques, were not covered in the literature, and retrospective study designs introduce potential biases. Future research should focus on standardized reporting, larger sample sizes, and prospective study designs to address these limitations.