[Alterations of vertebrocerebral arterial branches in children and adolescents - current aspects of epidemiology, diagnostics, treatment, outcome and follow-up including a representative case report].

INTRODUCTION: Vascular alterations such as arterial lesions themselves or caused by injuries (external site) occur only rarely in children and adolescents. By means of a narrative review including our own clinical experience and a representative case report, vascular alterations in children and adolescents are discussed. Complex Patient- & clinical Finding-associated Aspects: - Dissections of vertebrocerebral arterial branches: usually, the aetiopathogenesis reveals external factors or primary alterations of the vascular wall. The therapeutic approach comprises anticoagulation or surgical, sometimes endovascular intervention in cases of recurrent ischaemic symptoms. - Aneurysm of the carotid artery: the therapeutic approach is characterised by surgical and interventional treatment according to the individual case-specific finding, alternatives in vascular reconstruction can be derived from the classification by de Jong et al. Representative Case Report: An 11 year old boy was diagnosed with intracranial dissection of the left vertebral artery initially treated with anticoagulation (6 months) and a consecutive neurosurgical approach (trepanation and coverage of the dissecting aneurysm) and, subsequently (within the 16th year of age), he underwent interventional treatment (coil embolisation) because of an expansion of the aneurysm. In addition, an aneurysm of the right internal carotid artery was found, which was approached surgically with interposition of a vena-saphena-magna segment.

CONCLUSION: Vascular alterations such as dissections and aneurysms of vertebrocerebral arterial branches in children and adolescents are challenging. Dissections should be treated with anticoagulation. In the case of recurrent ischaemic symptoms or in cases of pressure phenomenon including neurological alterations, interventional or surgical treatment is indicated. In the case of an aneurysm of the carotid artery, there is an indication for surgical treatment: In children and teenagers, venous segments for interposition and single-stitch sutures are usually used. Competent decision-making for treatment and periinterventional management require appropriate interdisciplinary expertise.