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Large Saccular Intracranial Aneurysm in a Child with RASA1-Associated Capillary Malformation AVM Syndrome
Abstract Title Large Saccular Intracranial Aneurysm in a Child with RASA1-Associated Capillary Malformation AVM Syndrome
Background Large cerebral aneurysms are much less common in children than in adults. Thus, when they present, these lesions require careful surgical evaluation and comprehensive genetic testing. RASA1-associated capillary malformation-arteriovenous malformation (RASA1-CM-AVM) syndrome is a rare disorder of angiogenic remodeling known to cause port-wine stains and arteriovenous fistulas but not previously associated with pediatric aneurysms.
Case Presentation The authors report a case of a previously healthy 6-year-old boy who presented with seizure-like activity. Imaging demonstrated a lesion in the right ambient cistern with compression of the temporal lobe. Imaging characteristics were suggestive of a thrombosed aneurysm versus an epidermoid cyst. The patient underwent craniotomy, revealing a large saccular aneurysm, and clip ligation and excision were performed. The patient recovered well from surgery with no postoperative complications or neurological deficits. Postoperative histology was consistent with a saccular cerebral aneurysm. Postoperative genetic analysis revealed a RASA1-CM-AVM syndrome.
Discussion This represents the first documented case of a RASA1-associated pediatric cerebral aneurysm in the neurosurgical literature. This unique case highlights the need for maintaining a broad differential diagnosis as well as the utility of genetic testing for detecting underlying genetic syndromes in young children presenting with cerebral aneurysms.