Outcomes of oculomotor nerve palsy caused by internal carotid artery aneurysm: Comparison between microsurgical clipping and endovascular coiling

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of microsurgical clipping and endovascular coiling in patients with oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) caused by internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm. Among 17 patients with ICA aneurysms presented with ONP, 9 (52.9%) underwent microsurgical clipping and 8 (47.1%) underwent endovascular coiling. Outcomes of functional recovery of ONP were investigated and compared between surgical group and endovascular group. Mean intervals between the onset and treatment were significantly longer in microsurgical group (18.2 days) than in endovascular group (3.5 days). In microsurgical group, complete resolution (CR) of ONP was obtained in 7 of 9 patients (77.8%) and partial resolution (PR) was seen in 2 patients (22.2%). In endovascular group, CR was obtained in 5 of 8 patients (62.5%) and PR was seen in 3 patients (37.5%). The optimal treatment of aneurysm-induced ONP remains controversial; however, present study suggests both procedures are beneficial for achieving functional recovery of ONP. The treatment strategy should be decided primarily considering the general risks of the two procedures, and presence of ONP is not a disadvantageous factor for either procedure.