Emergency treatment and anesthesia management of internal carotid artery injury during neurosurgery: Four case reports

Abstract

BACKGROUND

During skull base surgery, intraoperative internal carotid artery (ICA) injury is a catastrophic complication that can lead to fatal blood loss or secondary cerebral ischemia. Appropriate management of ICA injury plays a crucial role in the prognosis of patients. Neurosurgeons have reported multiple techniques and management strategies; however, the literature on managing this complication from the anesthesiologist’s perspective is limited, especially in the aspect of circulation management and airway management when patients need transit for further endovascular treatment.

CASE SUMMARY

We describe 4 cases of ICA injury during neurosurgery; there were 3 cases of pathologically proven pituitary adenoma and 1 case of cavernous sinus endothelial meningioma. After the onset of ICA injury, all four patients were immediately transferred for endovascular therapy under general anesthesia with vital signs monitored and mechanical ventilation. Three patients were transferred to the hybrid operating room, and one patient was transferred to the catheter operating room. Three patients underwent covered stent implantation, and one patient underwent embolization. All four patients experienced hypovolemic shock and received blood products infusion and vasoactive drugs to maintain stable circulation. After the neurosurgery, one patient was extubated and returned to the ward, and the other three were delayed tracheal extubation and returned to the intensive care unit. One patient died from serious neurological complications after 62 d in the hospital, but the other three showed good clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

ICA injury imposes a high risk of massive hemorrhage and subsequent infarction. Immediate treatment is critical and requires interdisciplinary collaboration among neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, and interventional neuroradiologists. Effective hemostatic methods, stable hemodynamics sufficient to ensure perfusion of vital organs, airway safety during transit, rapid localization and implementation of appropriate measures to occlude the damaged vessel are strong guarantees of patient safety.

Key Words: Complication; Internal carotid artery injury; Neurosurgery; Anesthesia Management; Literature review; Case reports

Core Tip: Intraoperative internal carotid artery (ICA) injury is an uncommon but life-threatening event that usually requires transfer to a hybrid or catheter operating room for urgent endovascular treatment; however, the literature on the management of this complication from the anesthesiologist’s perspective is limited. This case series documents four cases of ICA injury during skull base neurosurgery. Effective hemostatic procedures, hemodynamic stabilization and maintenance of mechanical ventilation during and after transfer, rapid localization and implementation of necessary measures to occlude the injured vessel are solid guarantees of patient safety.

INTRODUCTION

Internal carotid artery (ICA) injury is a rare but catastrophic complication. As anterior, medial, and lateral skull base tumors often close to the ICA, there is an inherent risk of injuring the ICA[1]. Due to publication bias, the reported incidence of ICA injury varies widely. The incidence of ICA injury in traditional craniotomy for the resection of skull base masses is approximately 3%-8%[2] and varies from 0.4%-9% in endoscopic neurosurgery[3-5]. Nasal packing, muscle patches, direct vessel closure, and endovascular techniques have been described as useful strategies for managing ICA bleeds[6]. In this paper, we described the anesthetic management of 4 cases of ICA injury during neurosurgery at Tiantan Hospital, especially in the aspect of circulation management and airway management when patients need transit for further endovascular treatment.

CASE PRESENTATION

Chief complaints

Case 1: A 51-year-old female presented with paroxysmal headache for 7 mo (Table 1).

Table 1 The demographic and clinical characteristics of the 4 patients.

Case	Age (yr)	Sex	BMI (kg/m2)	Primary disease	Comorbidities	Maximum diameter of tumor (mm)	Tumor recurrence (yes/no)	Operative approach	Location of ICA injury
1	51	Female	25.28	Pituitary adenoma	None	20	Yes	ETTS	C5 segment of right internal carotid artery
2	57	Female	21.50	Pituitary adenoma	Hyperthyroidism, cured	46	No	ETTS	C4 segment of left internal carotid artery
3	32	Male	26.12	Pituitary adenoma	None	30	No	MTTS	C5 segment of right internal carotid artery
4	53	Female	25.63	Right cavernous sinus endothelial meningioma	Allergic asthma	35	No	Right frontotemporal approach	C5 segment of right internal carotid artery

BMI: Body mass index; ETTS: Endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal approach; MTTS: Microscopically transnasal transsphenoidal approach.

Case 2: A 57-year-old female presented with an intermittent headache for over a month.

Case 3: A 32-year-old male presented with facial changes for three months.

Case 4: A 53-year-old female presented with intermittent headache and dizziness for 1 year and exacerbation for 3 mo.

History of present illness

Case 1: The patient underwent pituitary adenoma surgery 7 years prior and denied any other symptoms.

Case 2: There were no other symptoms.

Case 3: There were no other symptoms.

Case 4: There were no other symptoms.

History of past illness

Case 1: The patient had no other medical history.

Case 2: The patient had a history of hyperthyroidism that had been cured.

Case 3: The patient had no other medical history.

Case 4: The patient had a history of allergic asthma.

Personal and family history

Case 1: The patient had no history of smoking or drinking, and no family history.

Case 2: The patient had no history of smoking or drinking, and no family history.

Case 3: The patient had a history of smoking. The patient’s parents are alive and healthy.

Case 4: The patient had no history of smoking or drinking. The patient’s father had died of a stroke. The patient’s mother is alive and healthy.

Physical examination

Case 1: The visual acuity of both eyes decreased, and the left upper visual field partially defected; the rest nervous system examination was negative.

Case 2: The nervous system examination was negative.

Case 3: Physical examination revealed hypertrophy of the lips and acromegaly; the rest nervous system examination was negative.

Case 4: The nervous system examination was negative.

Laboratory examinations

Case 1: The growth hormone was mildly elevated at 8.3 ng/mL (reference range: 0-8.0 ng/mL).

Case 2: The patient’s blood test results were all normal.

Case 3: The patient exhibited multiple pituitary hormone abnormal (growth hormone level, > 40.0 ng/mL, reference range: 0-8.0 ng/mL; prolactin level, 143 ng/mL, reference range: 1.9-25 ng/mL).

Case 4: The patient’s blood test results were all normal.

Imaging examinations

Magnetic resonance imaging (Figures 1A-C) performed before surgery showed that the ICA was enveloped by a sellar tumor. Time-varying computed tomography (CT) (Figures 1D-F) performed after surgery showed intracerebral hemorrhage and progressive cerebral infarction (orange arrow).

Figure 1 Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and postoperative computed tomography images in case 1 (orange arrow). A-C: Magnetic resonance imaging showed occupation in the sellar region; D-F: Computed tomography showed intracerebral hemorrhage on the day of surgery and progressive cerebral infarction on postoperative days 2 and 4, respectively.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS

Case 1: The patient was diagnosed with pituitary adenoma.

Case 2: The patient was diagnosed with pituitary adenoma.

Case 3: The patient was diagnosed with pituitary adenoma.

Case 4: The patient was diagnosed with right cavernous sinus endothelial meningioma.

TREATMENT

Case 1: Endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma surgery was performed under general anesthesia. After curettage of most of the tumor, a large amount of bloody fluid gushed out from the sellar region, at which time sponges were immediately placed to temporarily stop the bleeding. The patient was immediately transferred to a hybrid operating room with controlled ventilation. During the transfer, vital signs were monitored, and the depth of anesthesia was maintained with a combination of propofol and remifentanil infusions. Injury of the right ICA was confirmed by digital subtraction angiography, and the injury was sealed with a covered stent. The overall volume of blood loss was 2400 mL. Fluid resuscitation, vasoactive drugs (epinephrine), and blood products were used to maintain circulation during the operation. After surgery, the patient was returned to the intensive care unit (ICU) under tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation (Table 2).

Table 2 Anesthesia management for subsequent surgery and the clinical outcome of the 4 patients.

Case	ASA class	Type of anesthesia	Vasoactive drugs	Total infusion (mL)	RBC (mL)	FFP (mL)	Blood loss (mL)	Urine output (mL)	Tumor removal	Endovascular treatment	Prolonged intubation (d)	Length of stay (d)	Outcome	Hospital costs (RMB)
1	IV	TIVA	Adrenaline	6000	520	800	2400	750	Near total	Covered stent	55	62	Died	402167.49
2	III	TIVA	Dopamine	6000	1560	1200	3000	3500	Near total	Covered stent	0	12	Recovered	221113.41
3	III	CIIA	Norepinephrine and adrenaline	4000	260	400	900	800	Near total	Covered stent	1	17	Recovered	209218.11
4	III	CIIA	Norepinephrine and adrenaline	6600	1000	400	2200	4100	Total	Right ICA embolism	1	22	Recovered	165178.78

ASA: American Society of Anesthesiologists; TIVA: Total intravenous anesthesia; CIIA: Combined intravenous and inhaled anesthesia; RBC: Red blood cells; FFP: Fresh frozen plasma; ICA: Internal carotid artery.

Case 2: Endoscopic transnasal resection of the sphenoidal tumor was performed under general anesthesia. When the operation was continued to remove the tumor in the left cavernous sinus, severe bleeding occurred. After compression with a hemostatic sponge, the patient was immediately transferred to a catheter operating room with controlled ventilation. During the transfer, vital signs were monitored, and the depth of anesthesia was maintained with a combination of propofol and remifentanil infusions. The C4 segment of the left ICA was confirmed to be injured and was treated with a covered stent. The total volume of blood loss was 3000 mL. Fluid resuscitation, vasoactive drugs (dopamine), and blood products were used to maintain circulation during the operation. After surgery, the patient was extubated and returned to the ward.

Case 3: Transsphenoidal microsurgery was performed under general anesthesia. When the bone window was enlarged, the ICA was penetrated by bone debris. Immediately after the injury, the area of hemorrhage was packed, and the patient was transferred to the hybrid operating room. The C5 segment of the right ICA was confirmed to be injured and was treated with a covered stent. During the transfer, vital signs were monitored, and the depth of anesthesia was maintained with a combination of midazolam and rocuronium. The total volume of blood loss was 1000 mL. Fluid resuscitation, vasoactive drugs (norepinephrine and epinephrine), and blood products were used to maintain circulation during the operation. After surgery, the patient was returned to the ICU under tracheal intubation and spontaneous breathing.

Case 4: Craniotomy with the right frontotemporal approach was performed under general anesthesia. The tumor tightly encircled the right ICA and invaded the arterial wall. During the separation of the residual tumor, injury to the ICA occurred. The area of hemorrhage was immediately packed, and the patient was transferred to the hybrid operating room. The C5 segment of the right ICA was confirmed to be injured and was treated with coil embolization. During the transfer, vital signs were monitored, and the depth of anesthesia was maintained with a combination of propofol and remifentanil infusions. The total volume of blood loss was 2200 mL. Fluid resuscitation, vasoactive drugs (norepinephrine and epinephrine), and blood products were used to maintain circulation during the operation. After surgery, the patient was returned to the ICU under tracheal intubation with spontaneous breathing.

OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP

Case 1: The patient remained in a coma with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3 without spontaneous breathing until postoperative day 11. Subsequently, brainstem failure, multiple cerebral infarcts, respiratory and circulatory failure, severe electrolyte disturbances, and deep venous thrombosis occurred gradually. The time-varying CT images are shown in Figure 1. The patient died 62 d after the surgery (Table 2).

Case 2: The patient did not develop any neurological sequelae and was discharged after 12 d of hospitalization.

Case 3: The patient did not develop any neurological sequelae and was discharged after 17 d of hospitalization.

Case 4: The patient experienced transient left upper extremity weakness and was discharged after 22 d of hospitalization.

DISCUSSION

Although ICA injury is rare during skull base neurosurgery, it receives considerable attention due to its potentially catastrophic consequences, which include massive hemorrhage and even circulation collapse and secondary ischemia. The reported incidence of ICA injury varies from 0.34%-2.6% with transsphenoidal surgery, 3%-8% with standard open skull base approaches, and 0.16%-2% with endoscopic skull base surgery[7-10]. These differences in incidence result from differences in the surgical techniques, complexity of access, and tumor size. In addition, the rate of variation in the course and geometry of the ICA can be as high as 40%, which further increases the risk of potential injury[11]. In this paper, 3 of the 4 patients were treated with the transsphenoidal approach, and 1 of them underwent craniotomy.

Due to different approaches and angles of craniotomy, intraoperative ICA injury is more likely to occur in the cavernous segment during endoscopic approaches and in the postcavernous segment during anterior and middle skull base surgery. The petrous segment is at risk during both open and endoscopic lateral skull base surgery[1]. As Gardner et al[12] mentioned, primary prevention is the best management strategy. Individual preoperative risk evaluation is mandatory if intraoperative manipulation of the ICA is anticipated[13]. A comprehensive preoperative evaluation includes an assessment of the tumor size, the relationship between the tumor and the ICA (encapsulation, invasion, or displacement of the ICA), and the patient’s risk tolerance. It should be noted that previous surgery, previous radiotherapy, sphenoid wall defects, encapsulation of the ICA by the tumor, and more ectatic arteries due to acromegaly are risk factors for ICA injury[1,7,14,15]. Regarding the preparation for anesthesia, placing two peripheral lines for rapid perfusion and keeping two units of blood products in the operating room for patients with a high risk of ICA injury are necessary[16]. In addition to routine monitoring, it has been recommended to place an arterial catheter in the dorsal pedis artery or radial artery after anesthesia induction.

In the event of intraoperative ICA injury, neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, and interventional neuroradiologists should collaborate as a team to manage this emergency situation. Successful primary repair of an injured ICA by encasing the injured vessel with a synthetic or autologous material, patching or wrapping with muscle grafts, or other methods of hemostasis is of the utmost importance. In this paper, all 4 patients who experienced ICA injury during skull base neurosurgery under general anesthesia were immediately transferred to a hybrid or catheter operating room for endovascular treatment after effective hemostasis. Patient safety must be ensured during the transfer process. Multivital sign monitoring, controlled breathing and stable blood pressure to maintain target organ perfusion during transport are critical to patient safety. Previous studies recommended that blood pressures should be kept normal to high to ensure adequate cerebral perfusion during the management of an ICA injury[12,16,17].

Since the patients have been endotracheally intubated, it is relatively easy to manage the airway and control breathing to maintain oxygenation during transfer, and if conditions permit, transport ventilators can be used, which may be safer. Continuous intravenous infusion of propofol and remifentanil in combination with a muscle relaxant (rocuronium or cisatracurium) could be used to maintain a certain depth of anesthesia to prevent coughing and any body movement during transfer to avoid exacerbation of the ICA injury and deterioration of the current situation. However, patients with ICA injury usually experience hypovolemic shock. Our primary goal was to prevent circulation collapse. Patients with massive bleeding and profound hemodynamic instability could be treated with resuscitation measures, including limited transfusion of crystalloids, whole blood, or balanced blood components and vasoactive agents as needed. In this paper, 3 of 4 patients lost more than 2000 mL of blood. All patients received an infusion of blood products and vasoactive drugs, such as dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, or a combination of both to maintain hemodynamic stability.

Subsequent arteriography was performed under general anesthesia. Both intravenous and volatile agents can be used to maintain anesthesia, although short-acting agents are preferred. The tracheal tube was successfully removed in 1 patient, and removal was delayed in 3 patients. One patient died of brainstem failure, multiple cerebral infarcts, and respiratory and circulatory failure (Figure 1) despite active postoperative hemostasis, vascular preservation, and intracranial pressure reduction. One patient experienced transient neurological impairment but had recovered by the time of discharge, whereas the other 2 patients exhibited no neurological sequelae.

CONCLUSION

Anesthesia management of ICA injury during skull base surgery requires optimal surgical conditions while maintaining hemodynamic stability to ensure vital organ perfusion and airway safety during and after transfer. Preoperative risk assessment and intraoperative multidisciplinary collaboration are the cornerstones of perioperative safety.