Neurovascular stents in pediatric population

Giant dissecting aneurysm of basilar artery in a child - treated by flow reversal: A case report

Although intracranial aneurysms are rare in the paediatric population, the proportion of those involving posterior circulation is higher than that of adults (approximately 25% vs. 8%, respectively). Moreover, posterior circulation aneurysms in kids tend to be larger in size, many of them being giant dissecting types, and treatment of them is often challenging. Treatment of giant dissecting aneurysms, especially involving the Basilar artery is difficult due to strategic location and haemodynamic factors. Use of reconstructive techniques viz. flow-diverters and braided stents is difficult in children because of the lack of standard protocol for use of antiplatelet therapy and the need for prolonged use of the same. Continuous growth of parent vessel is also suggested as a pitfall for the use of a flow diverter/ braided stent which has a fixed caliber. Carefully planned endovascular parent or feeder branch artery occlusion (FAO) is a time-tested method to achieve flow reversal or favourable flow modifications in an arterial segment harbouring dissecting aneurysm. Here, in this case report, we describe a case of a ruptured distal giant basilar artery dissecting aneurysm in a 10-year-old boy treated with flow diversion by FAO. The dominant left vertebral artery was occluded, thereby diverting flow from the right vertebral artery towards the left posterior inferior cerebellar artery and decreasing flow through the aneurysm. On 1-year follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic and on check angiography, there was complete involution of the aneurysm with increased flow through bilateral posterior communicating arteries to distal posterior circulation which proved our hypothesis correct.

Infectious Pseudoaneurysm of the Internal Carotid Artery in a Child Secondary to Parapharyngeal Abscess

Infectious pseudoaneurysm is a rare condition characterized by arterial wall dilation, usually due to an adjacent infectious focus. We present an 8-year-old male with a 3-day history of progressive, severe headache 2 weeks after treatment for a parapharyngeal abscess. Computed tomography revealed a left internal carotid artery (ICA) pseudoaneurysm inferior to the skull base and a small parapharyngeal abscess inferior to the pseudoaneurysm. The patient was admitted for intravenous antibiotic treatment and underwent transfemoral endovascular coil occlusion of the cervical ICA pseudoaneurysm without complications. We discuss the presentation and management of rare vascular complications of parapharyngeal abscesses involving major arteries of the neck and the role of neurointerventional embolization in these cases.

Flow Diversion for Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms in Pediatric Patients: Multicenter Case Series

BACKGROUND

Though the Pipeline Embolization Device (Medtronic) is approved for use in adults 22 yr and older, the high efficacy and long-term durability of the device is attractive for treatment of intracranial aneurysms in younger patients who often have aneurysms less amenable to traditional endovascular treatments.

OBJECTIVE

To report technical, angiographic, and clinical outcomes in patients aged 21 or below undergoing flow-diversion treatment for intracranial aneurysms.

METHODS

Retrospective review across 16 institutions identified 39 patients aged 21 or below undergoing 46 treatment sessions with Pipeline Embolization Device placement between 2012 and 2018. A total of 50 intracranial aneurysms were treated. Details regarding patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, treatment considerations, clinical outcomes, and aneurysm occlusion were obtained and analyzed in a multicenter database.

RESULTS

A total of 70% of patients were male. Nonsaccular morphology was seen in half of identified aneurysms. Six aneurysms were giant, and five patients were treated acutely after ruptured presentation. Eight patients were younger than 10 yr of age. Complete aneurysm occlusion was seen in 74% of treated aneurysms. Three aneurysms (6%) were retreated. A total of 83% of patients had a modified Rankin Scale scores of ≤2 at last clinical follow-up. There were 2 early mortalities (4.3%) in the immediate postprocedure period because of rerupture of a treated ruptured aneurysm. No recanalization of a previously occluded aneurysm was observed.

CONCLUSION

Flow-diversion treatment is a safe and effective treatment for intracranial aneurysms in patients younger than 22 yr. Rates of complete aneurysm occlusion and adverse events are comparable for rates seen in older patients.

A Giant Pseudoaneurysm Mimicking Retropharyngeal Abscess in a Child

Pseudoaneurysms of the cervical internal carotid artery are rare and usually result from trauma, infection, or rarely spontaneously. They harbor potential risk of life-threatening hemorrhage and warrant immediate management. Endovascular treatment in the form of stent placement and coiling is a well established technique for dealing with both intracranial and extracranial pseudoaneurysms. We present a case of a child who presented with fever, neck swelling, dysphagia, and respiratory distress in emergency for which clinical diagnosis of a neck abscess was made. Intubation was not possible because of bulge in the retropharyngeal wall. An elective tracheotomy was planned with imaging of the neck. Imaging and careful planning to avoid incision and drainage in the initial presentation led us to diagnose a pseudoaneurysm and successful management. We present this case to highlight the importance of early recognition and timely meticulous management to avoid serious complications and morbidity in a child.

Management of Arterial Pseudoaneurysms of the Neck in a Pediatric Population: An Endovascular Case Series and Review of Literature

BACKGROUND

Arterial pseudoaneurysms of the neck are rarely reported in the pediatric population and no dedicated large series are available. Trauma and infection are the most common causes for these aneurysms, with congenital and collagen vascular disorders being the less common causes. These lesions can be life threatening, especially when they present with bleeding or airway compromise.

METHODS

We searched our radiology information system for all cases of pediatric neck aneurysm presented between June 2015 and May 2018. These cases were analyzed for clinicoepidemiologic variables, clinical presentation, imaging findings, management, and follow-up.

RESULTS

Six children were included in the study (male/female ratio, 5:1), with a mean age of 7.8 years (range, 2.5-15 years). Four presented acutely with either bleeding or rapidly enlarging neck swelling, whereas 2 presented with slowly increasing pulsatile swelling. One had a traumatic cause, 2 had infections, and 1 had infective cervical lymphadenitis complicated by iatrogenic injury whereas no definite causative mechanisms could be accounted for in 2 patients. Two of the children were managed by trapping of the aneurysm and 2 only by proximal parent vessel occlusion. The other 2 children were treated with stent graft deployment across the aneurysm neck to reconstruct the parent vessel. All the patients were doing well during the follow-up period (mean, 14.8 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular means of treatment for pediatric neck aneurysms is relatively simple and safe. Although parent vessel sacrifice is the gold-standard management, vessel-preserving strategies can be tried in select cases with favorable anatomy.

Pipeline embolization device for the treatment of a traumatic intracranial aneurysm in a child

INTRODUCTION

Traumatic intracranial aneurysms in children are rare and may occur as the result of closed or penetrating head trauma. Their natural history seems to be more aggressive. Most traumatic aneurysms have complex shape, tending to have a large neck or even a fusiform morphology.

CASE REPORT

We present a case of a traumatic carotid artery aneurysm in a 9-year-old girl that was successfully treated with pipeline embolization device.

DISCUSSION

Due to its dissecting nature, wall friability and lack of a substantial neck can make surgical clipping and selective coiling difficult and risky. Although endovascular parent artery occlusion is the best approach in the acute phase, in some situations it is not possible or very risky. In such scenario the use of flow diverter devices would be an alternative approach. Additionally, we discuss the potential advantages and risks of flow diverter deployment inside a developing vessel.

Endovascular management of iatrogenic cervical internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm in a 9-year-old child: Case report and literature review

Extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) pseudoaneurysms are uncommon in the pediatric population and are usually secondary to direct trauma to the vessel. Treatment options include surgery (ligation), anticoagulation therapy and endovascular treatment. Endovascular covered stents have shown good results in adult populations, resulting in occlusion of the aneurysm and preservation of the artery without significant complications. However, there have been only limited reports in the literature reporting endovascular carotid stent placement in the pediatric population. We report a case of a 9-year-old boy patient, who developed a cervical ICA pseudoaneurysm after a parapharyngeal tumor resection. He was successfully treated by primary endovascular covered stent placement. During a follow-up of 6 months the patient has been asymptomatic, without any adverse event. Additionally, a literature review is done.

Traumatic cervical internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm in a child refractory to initial endovascular treatment: case report and technical considerations

PURPOSE

Optimal management of extracranial carotid artery dissections (eCAD) in pediatric patients is not well documented, and endovascular interventions are rarely reported.

METHODS

A 10-year-old girl sustained multiple systemic injuries in a motor vehicle accident, including an eCAD with pseudoaneurysm. She initially failed both aspirin and endovascular stenting with progressive enlargement of a traumatic cervical carotid pseudoaneurysm and stenosis.

RESULTS

Second-stage endovascular stent placement with coiling resulted in successful occlusion of the pseudoaneurysm. At 30-month imaging follow-up, the parent vessel remained patent with no evidence of the pseudoaneurysm.

CONCLUSION

In the setting of poly-trauma, management of eCAD can be complex especially in the pediatric population. There is little data on the endovascular treatment of eCAD in children. Failed endovascular therapies are extremely rare. Our report supports surveillance imaging as repeat endovascular treatment may be necessary.

Flow Diverters in the Treatment of Pediatric Cerebrovascular Diseases

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There is very limited data concerning utilization of flow diverters in children. Our aim is to report results for the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms and carotid cavernous fistulas by using flow diverters in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective review of children (17 years of age or younger) treated with flow diverters between May 2011 and July 2014 was performed. Clinical and laboratory data and angiographic findings were extracted. Seven patients (6 males, 1 female; mean age, 12.7 years; range, 3-16 years) were included. Two presented with posttraumatic fistulas. The remaining patients presented with traumatic aneurysms of the cavernous carotid artery or fusiform aneurysms of the distal vertebral artery, M1, or A2 segments. All patients were premedicated with clopidogrel (75 mg daily for patients with body weights of >45 kg, 37.5 mg daily for 1 small child with a body weight of <45 kg) and aspirin (300 mg daily for ≥45 kg, 100 mg daily for smaller children).

RESULTS

VerifyNow and Multiplate Analyzer values were higher than expected. No clinical complications were noted. Imaging performed at 7-52 months after the procedure (mean/median, 22.3/14 months) revealed occlusions of all aneurysms and fistulas. One patient had an asymptomatic occlusion of the parent artery; otherwise, no hemodynamically significant parent artery restenosis was observed. There were no clinically significant neurologic events during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Although flow-diverter placement appears to be safe and effective on midterm follow-up in children, longer follow-up is critical. The current sizes of flow diverter devices and delivery systems cover the pediatric size range, obviating developing flow diverters specific to children.

Stroke prevention by endovascular treatment of carotid and vertebral artery dissections

Introduction

Endovascular intervention for cervical carotid artery dissection (CAD) and vertebral artery dissection (VAD) may be indicated in specific circumstances.

Objective

To review our institutional experience with endovascular treatment of cervical dissections over the past 20 years to examine indications for treatment, interventional methods, and outcomes.

Methods

Retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database to identify patients with extracranial dissection who underwent endovascular intervention between January 1996 and January 2016. Demographic data and details of procedures, outcomes, and complications were extracted.

Results

Of 116 patients [93 CAD, 23 VAD; mean age 44.9 years (range 5–76 years)], 104 underwent stent placement; 11, coil occlusion of the parent artery; and 1, stenting with contralateral vessel occlusion. The cohorts were well matched for age, sex, dissection etiology, and admission and follow-up modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores. Patients with CAD had significantly more stent placements (p<0.001), failure of medical therapy (p=0.004), and interventions for enlarging pseudoaneurysms (p=0.01) or thromboembolic events (p=0.004). Patients with VAD had significantly more interventions for traumatic occlusion with recanalization (p<0.001). Dissections were spontaneous (n=67), traumatic (n=36), or iatrogenic (n=13). Traumatic dissections in patients with CAD were associated with poor admission mRS scores (p=0.01). Six of 67 (9.0%) patients with spontaneous dissection reported recent chiropractic manipulation. Mean follow-up was 3.5 years (range 1–146 months). Permanent morbidity/mortality was 3.4%, including two deaths. Over a follow-up period of 364 patient-years, 1 stroke occurred (0.27% per year). At last follow-up, 41 previously disabled patients [CAD, 31/93 (33.3%); VAD, 10/23 (43.5%)] were no longer disabled; no patient reported worsened disability.

Conclusions

Patients with CAD and VAD differ significantly in presentation, indications for treatment, and treatment methods. Endovascular treatment of CAD and VAD has low procedural morbidity and is associated with a low incidence of future stroke.