Stent-assisted Coiling vs. Flow Diverter for Treating Blood Blister-like Aneurysms : A Proportion Meta-analysis

Safety and efficacy of flow redirection endoluminal device (FRED) for treatment of intracranial aneurysm; A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Previous research has shown promising results for treating intracranial aneurysms (IAs) with a flow redirection endoluminal device (FRED). In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of this device by providing pooled estimates using the data from previous studies.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of Web of Sciences, PubMed, Scopus, and Embase was performed until October 8th, 2023. After selecting the final articles, relevant data were extracted. Parameters relating to safety and efficacy were pooled using STATA software. Heterogeneity was assessed using I-squared and Cochran's Q. Funnel plots and Egger's regression methods were used to evaluate publication bias. Sensitivity analysis was also performed using the leave-one-out method.

RESULTS

The data of 37 studies were used for meta-analysis. The rates of immediate adequate occlusion and complete occlusion were 0.51 (95% CI: 0.31-0.71) and 0.34 (95% CI: 0.16-0.53), respectively, while the rates of the adequate and complete occlusion at the latest follow-up were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.84-0.94) and 0.75 (95% CI: 0.65-0.84), respectively. The periprocedural complications rate was 0.04 (95% CI: 0.03-0.06), and the overall complications rate was 0.12 (95% CI: 0.09-0.15). The rate of good functional outcome was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.99-1.00) and the successful implantation rate was 1.00 (95% CI: 1.00-1.00). There was substantial heterogeneity among the reports for most of the evaluated parameters.

CONCLUSION

FRED had high safety and efficacy in treating IAs, as evidenced by its high occlusion and low complication rates.

Risk factors for intraoperative in-stent thrombosis during stent-assisted coiling of paraclinoid aneurysms

Objectives

To identify independent risk factors for intraoperative in-stent thrombosis (IST) in paraclinoid aneurysms (PAs).

Methods

172 PA patents undergoing stent-assisted coiling (SAC) were divided into an IST group (n = 12) and a non-IST group (n = 160). Clinical characteristics, aneurysm morphologies, and laboratory parameters were measured. We performed independent t tests (for normally distributed data) or non-parametric tests (for non-normally distributed data) to compare continuous parameters. Multivariate logistic regression analysis with a stepwise forward method was conducted to determine independent risk factors. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated, and the Delong test was employed for comparisons.

Results

Independent risk factors for IST included size ratio (SR) (p < 0.001, odds ratio [OR] = 3.909, confidence interval [CI] = 1.925-7.939), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) inhibition (p = 0.028, OR = 0.967, CI = 0.938-0.996), and reaction time (R) (p = 0.006, OR = 0.326, CI = 0.147-0.725). The combined factors (SR, ADP inhibition, and R) exhibited area under the curves of 0.870, 0.720, 0.716, and 0.697, with cutoff values of 2.46, 69.90%, and 4.65, respectively.

Conclusion

The SR, ADP inhibition, and R values were independent risk factors for the IST in the PAs undergoing SAC. For PAs with a large SR, surgeons could prepare for long-term dual antiplatelet therapy before SAC.

Treatment with a flow diverter-assisted coil embolization for ruptured blood blister-like aneurysms of the internal carotid artery: a technical note and analysis of single-center experience with pooled data

Treatment of blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs) of the supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) with flow diverters (FDs) has become widespread in recent years. However, ruptured blood blister-like aneurysm (BBA) of ICA treatment with flow diverter-assisted coil embolization (FDAC) remains controversial. Moreover, limited direct comparative studies have been conducted between the two treatment modalities, FDs and FDAC, for BBAs. The purpose of this study was to document our experience and evaluate the effectiveness and safety of FDAC. We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical and radiological information from ten patients who experienced ruptured BBAs of the supraclinoid ICA at our center from January 2021 to February 2023. The technical details of FDAC for ruptured BBAs were described, and the technical steps were named "pipeline embolization device (PED)-Individualized shaping(microcatheter)-Semi deploying-Rivet(coils)-Massage(microwire)" as the PEISSERM technique. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), whereas radiological results were determined through angiography. A pooled analysis was implemented, incorporating data from literature sources that reported perioperative and long-term clinical and angiographic outcomes of ruptured BBAs treated with FD and FDAC strategies, along with our data. Data in our analysis pool were categorized into FD and FDAC strategy groups to explore the preferred treatment modalities for BBAs. The PEISSERM technique was utilized to treat ten patients, seven males, and three females, with an average age of 41.7 years. A single PED was deployed in conjunction with coils in all ten patients. All PEDs were documented to have good wall apposition. The immediate postoperative angiograms demonstrated Raymond grade I in ten aneurysms. Angiographic follow-up of nine patients at 4-25 months showed total occlusion of the aneurysms. At the most recent follow-up, the mRS scores of nine patients hinted at a good prognosis. Pooled analysis of 233 ICA-BBA cases of FD revealed a technical success rate of 91% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.88 to 0.95], a rate of complete occlusion of 79% (95% CI, 0.73 to 0.84), a recurrence rate of 2% (95% CI, 0.00 to 0.04), a rebleed rate of 2% (95% CI, 0.00 to 0.04), and the perioperative stroke rate was 8% (95% CI, 0.04 to 0.11). The perioperative mortality was 4% (95% CI, 0.01 to 0.07). The long-term good clinical outcome rate was 85% (95% CI, 0.80 to 0.90). The mortality rate was 6% (95% CI, 0.03 to 0.09). Results from the subgroup analysis illustrated that the FDAC strategy for BBAs had a significantly higher immediate postoperative complete occlusion rate (P < 0.001), total occlusion rate (P = 0.016), and a good outcome rate (P = 0.041) compared with the FD strategy. The FDAC strategy can yield a higher rate of good outcomes than the FD strategy. The PEISSERM technique employed by the FDAC is a reliable and effective treatment approach as it can minimize the hemodynamic burden of BBA's fragile dome, thereby achieving an excellent occlusion rate. The PEISSERM technique in the FDAC strategy contributes to understanding the BBA's treatment and offers a potentially optimal treatment for BBA.

Interventions to treat patients with blood blister-like aneurysms of the internal carotid artery: a protocol for a network meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Blood blister-like aneurysm (BBA) is a special type of intracranial aneurysm with relatively low morbidity and high mortality. Various microsurgical techniques and endovascular approaches have been reported, but the optimal management remains controversial. For a better understanding of the treatment of BBA patients, a network meta-analysis that comprehensively compares the effects of different therapies is necessary.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This protocol has been reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols. Related studies in the following databases will be searched until November 2022: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP and Wanfang. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomised studies comparing at least two different interventions in BBA patients will be included. Quality assessment will be conducted using Cochrane Collaboration's tool or Newcastle-Ottawa Scale based on their study designs. The primary outcome is the composite of the incidences of intraoperative bleeding, postoperative bleeding and postoperative recurrence. The secondary outcome is an unfavourable functional outcome. Pairwise and network meta-analyses will be conducted using STATA V.14 (StataCorp, College Station, Texas, USA). Mean ranks and the surface under the cumulative ranking curve will be used to evaluate every intervention. Statistical inconsistency assessment, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis and publication bias assessment will be performed.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval is not necessary because this study will be based on publications. The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42022383699.

Flow Diverter Device-Assisted Coiling Treatment for Cerebral Blister Aneurysm: A Single-Center Study

Although endovascular treatment is a promising approach, blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs) still present treatment challenges. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of flow diverter device-assisted coiling (FDDAC) for the treatment of BBAs, which are broad based and friable with a high rebleeding risk. Eight patients (five females and three males) who presented with subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAH) due to BBA ruptures between May 2020 and May 2022 were retrospectively enrolled. All patients were treated by flow diverter device (Tubridge) adjunctive coil embolization using a semi-deploying technique. The demographic information, angiographic data, interval between admission and treatment, materials, therapy, clinical outcomes (including periprocedural and intraprocedural mortality and morbidity), and follow-up results of all patients were reviewed. The mean age of the patients with BBAs was 48.5 years (range 31–62 years); aneurysm sizes ranged from 2.2 × 1.7 mm to 4.6 × 3.2 mm, and the median Hunt–Hess score was 3. All aneurysms were completely closed at follow-up, and all 8 patients had excellent clinical outcomes (modified Rankin scores = 0–2) at discharge. Angiograms showed complete aneurysm occlusion after 6 months to 1 year. In addition, there were no cases of re-rupture, re-treatment, or recurrence of the aneurysms. FDDAC is safe to use in patients with BBAs and provides an alternative treatment option for this disease.

Advantages of Extradural Anterior Clinoidectomy and Extradural Approach with Dural Incision for Blood Blister Aneurysm or Pseudoaneurysm in the Internal Carotid Artery: Two Case Reports

Blood blister aneurysms (BBAs) or pseudoaneurysms (PAs) in the internal carotid artery (ICA) have fragile necks; therefore, conventional neck clipping is difficult. The standard treatment for BBAs or PAs is trapping with high or low flow bypass. However, there is no consensus on whether or not anterior clinoidectomy should be performed together. Two patients with ruptured ICA PA (anterior protrusion) or BBA (posterior protrusion) were presented to our hospital. Complete trapping was safely performed for both types of aneurysms via extradural anterior clinoidectomy and the extradural approach with dural incision. The advantages of the procedure are 1) safe proximal clipping, 2) early identification of the ICA C3 portion, 3) minimized frontal lobe retraction, 4) optic canal opening to allow mobility of the optic nerve, and 5) dural ring incision to allow mobility of the ICA.

Retreatment with a flow diverter for recurrent blood blister-like aneurysms after embolization: A single-center case series

Background and purpose

Treatment of blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs) has been a significant challenge mainly due to their high recurrence rate even after stent-assisted coiling (SAC) embolization. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of treating recurrent BBAs after SAC with a flow diverter (FD).

Methods

A retrospective series of patients with recurrent BBAs who underwent the retreatment with the FD from June 2018 to December 2021 was included to analyze perioperative safety and immediate postoperative and follow-up outcomes.

Results

The study enrolled 13 patients with recurrent BBAs previously treated with SAC. Within previous stents, an FD was deployed for retreatment, including eight Tubridge FDs and five PEDs. The time interval between initial treatment and FD implantation was 14–90 days. A total of 11 cases were treated with a single FD alone; two cases were treated with further endovascular coiling embolization, followed by FD implantation. The angiographic follow-up (6–12 months) was available in 12 patients, and all 12 recurrent BBAs were completely occluded. No perioperative complication was detected, and no rebleeding was found during the clinical follow-up (6–36 months).

Conclusion

The use of the FD to manage recurrent BBAs after SAC is technically feasible, safe, and effective. The key to the success of the procedure is to ensure that the FD stent is fully open and has good apposition with the previously implanted stent.

Endovascular treatment of aneurysms of the paraophthalmic segment of the internal carotid artery: Current status

The paraophthalmic segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) originates from the distal border of the cavernous ICA and terminates at the posterior communicating artery. Aneurysms arising from the paraophthalmic segment represent ~5–10% of intradural aneurysms. Due to the advent of endovascular treatment (EVT) techniques, specifically flow-diverting stents (FDSs), EVT has become a good option for these aneurysms. A literature review on EVT for paraophthalmic segment aneurysms is necessary. In this review, we discuss the anatomy of the paraophthalmic segment, classification of the paraophthalmic segment aneurysms, EVT principle and techniques, and prognosis and complications. EVT techniques for paraophthalmic segment aneurysms include coil embolization, FDSs, covered stents, and Woven EndoBridge devices. Currently, coiling embolization remains the best choice for ruptured paraophthalmic segment aneurysms, especially to avoid long-term antiplatelet therapy for young patients. Due to the excessive use of antiplatelet therapy, unruptured paraophthalmic segment aneurysms that are easy to coil should not be treated with FDS. FDS is appropriate for uncoilable or failed aneurysms. Other devices cannot act as the primary choice but can be useful auxiliary tools. Both coiling embolization and FDS deployment can result in a good prognosis for paraophthalmic segment aneurysms. The overall complication rate is low. Therefore, EVT offers promising treatments for paraophthalmic segment aneurysms. In addition, surgical clipping continues to be a good choice for paraophthalmic segment aneurysms in the endovascular era.