Cavalcanti et al., from the Department of Neurosurgery, Paulo Niemeyer State Brain Institute, [[Rio de Janeiro]], [[Brazil]], retrospectively reviewed a database of patients with aneurysm from October 2013 to May 2016. Data were originally collected prospectively. The [[minisphenoidal approach]] has been progressively replacing the [[pterional approach]] for managing [[aneurysm]]s in this department. Occlusion rates for ruptured and [[unruptured aneurysm]]s were analyzed using late follow-up [[angiogram]]s. Functional outcome assessment and the impact on quality of life were also measured.

They performed 124 minisphenoidal craniotomies in 117 patients to clip 147 aneurysms. Patient mean age was 53.9 years. Seventy patients (59.8%) presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Middle cerebral artery aneurysms represented 48% of the total number of aneurysms; posterior communicating artery aneurysms represented 24%. The minisphenoidal craniotomy was helpful in managing superior cerebellar artery aneurysms and 1 ruptured orbitofrontal artery aneurysm. We achieved an occlusion rate of 97.8%, with a mean follow-up of 13.2 months. Favorable outcomes were achieved for 79% of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and for 98% of unruptured patients.

Evolution of [[endovascular]] techniques has paved the way for minimizing surgical exposures. Routine use of the minisphenoidal approach for managing ruptured, unruptured, and previously coiled aneurysms is safe and provides adequate exposure with robust occlusion rates
((Cavalcanti DD, de Paula RC, Alvarenga PL, Pereira PJDM, Niemeyer Filho P.
Engaging in a Keyhole Concept for the Management of Ruptured and Unruptured
Aneurysms. World Neurosurg. 2017 Jun;102:466-476. doi:
10.1016/j.wneu.2017.02.044. Epub 2017 Feb 16. PubMed PMID: 28216398.
)).