Three Cases of Ruptured Basilar Artery Dissection: From Diagnosis to Endovascular Treatment

Ruptured Basilar Artery Dissection Diagnosed Using Magnetic Resonance Vessel Wall Imaging and Treated with Coil Embolization with Overlapping LVIS Stents: A Case Report

The diagnosis and treatment of patients with ruptured basilar artery dissection (rBAD) are often difficult. We present a case of rBAD diagnosed with magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (MR-VWI) and treated with coil embolization with overlapping low-profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) stents. The case is of a 49-year-old woman with subarachnoid hemorrhage. digital subtraction angiography (DSA) showed irregularity in an anterior wall of the middle portion of the basilar artery, indicating the presence of a false lumen. MR-VWI showed local enhancement in an arterial wall, which was consistent with the wall irregularity observed in DSA. Overlapping stents (two LVIS stents) was performed in the basilar artery and coils were placed in the false lumen. The false lumen was completely thrombosed, and anterograde blood flow of the basilar artery was preserved. Dual antiplatelet therapy was administered, and the patient underwent an uneventful postoperative course. DSA performed 6 months later showed a white-collar sign. MR-VWI has attracted attention as a useful modality for detecting a ruptured lesion in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. This is the first report, to the best of our knowledge, describing the practical use of MR-VWI for rBAD. MR-VWI is suggested to improve diagnostic accuracy for rBAD. There are no established treatments for rBAD; reconstructive endovascular treatments comprising stent placement and coil embolization of a false lumen are promising. The LVIS stent has a braided design and high metal coverage ratio and is considered to be reasonable for use in rBAD. Coil embolization of a false lumen with overlapping LVIS stents may be effective for rBAD.

Treatment Strategies of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage from Bilateral Vertebral Artery Dissection: A Case Report and Literature Review Focusing on the Availability of Stent Placement

BACKGROUND

Bilateral vertebral artery dissection (VAD) may result in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, a variety of factors contribute to the difficulties with treating SAH. We report a case of bilateral VAD with SAH, as well as a literature review.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 32-year-old woman developed headache. Computed tomography demonstrated diffuse SAH, and 3-dimensional computed tomography indicated bilateral VAD. Her left vertebral artery was severely stenosed, and the basilar artery retrogradely flowed via the posterior communicating artery. Her bilateral VAD was trapped with the use of staged craniotomy. The postoperative course was uneventful for 13 days; however, severe neurologic deterioration remained in the area of the cerebral infarction, due to vasospasm of the internal carotid artery. This is the first report of hemorrhagic bilateral VAD treated with bilateral trapping and aggressive spasm treatment in the acute phase. However, the treatment was not successful.

CONCLUSIONS

Because of the increasing use of stent therapy, there has been a shift toward this treatment choice. For cases in which stents cannot be used, treatment methods based on prestenting protocols are helpful. A literature review indicated that conservative treatment for 2 weeks, in which vasospasm and rebleeding are controlled, may be considered compared with acute-stage stent treatment. Following our literature review, in situations in which stents cannot be used, only the ruptured side should be trapped with strict blood pressure control and detailed radiological images should be observed for 2 weeks. In conclusion, patient selection is essential to subject the patient to open surgery in such cases.