Extradural minipterional approach for giant intracranial aneurysms

BACKGROUND: The clinical applicability of the minipterional (MPT) craniotomy is still limited to small and superficial anterior circulation aneurysms. We discuss the technical nuances of a modified MPT approach, the extradural MPT approach (eMPTa), for the treatment of a giant intracranial aneurysm (GIA) arising from the paraclinoid carotid artery. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 44-year-old female presented with facial hypoesthesia and third cranial nerve palsy. Further investigations revealed the presence of a 27 mm aneurysm arising from the communicating segment of the internal carotid artery. The patient underwent surgical clipping through an extradural MPT craniotomy and combined anterior clinoidectomy. Postoperative angio-computed tomography demonstrated complete aneurysm occlusion and patency of the parent vessels. The patient recovered fully from her previous deficits. CONCLUSION: The skull base drilling, interdural dissection, and anterior clinoidectomy are key steps during the eMPTa that optimizes the use of the extradural corridor. Such adaptations are enough to improve the surgical maneuverability along the paraclinoid region and adapt the MPT suitability for the treatment of complex GIA.