Aneurysms of the Vertebral Artery (VA)

Pipeline Embolization Device With Adjunctive Coils for the Treatment of Unruptured Large or Giant Vertebrobasilar Aneurysms: A Single-Center Experience

Objective: To evaluate effectiveness and safety of Pipeline embolization device (PED) for large or giant verterbrobasilar aneurysms (LGVBAs), and to compare the therapeutic effects of PED with and without adjunctive coils. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 21 cases of unruptured LGVBAs who were treated in our hospital with PED. These cases were divided into "PED group" and "PED with adjunctive coils group." We compared the aneurysm characteristics and treatment outcomes between the two groups. Results: The overall neurological complication rate was 28.6% (6/21) and the mortality rate was 4.8% (1/21). There were 12 patients in the PED group and nine in the PED with adjunctive coils group. There were no significant differences in age, smoking, hypertension, aneurysm size, aneurysm location, or operation time between the two groups. The complete aneurysm embolization rate and favorable outcome rate (modified Rankin Scale = 0,1) of the PED with adjunctive coils group was 78% (7/9) and 100% (9/9), respectively, which were both better compared with the PED group with 63.6% (7/11) and 83% (10/12), respectively. However, these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The effectiveness and safety of PED for LGVBAs is acceptable. Treatment results did not differ between the PED and PED with adjunctive coils groups; therefore, whether coils should be used may depend the operator. Our results suggest that correct use of the coils does not increase complications. We suggest that PED with adjunctive coils should be used for some selected LGVBAs.

Fusiform aneurysms of the vertebrobasilar arterial trunk: choice of endovascular methods and therapeutic efficacy

BACKGROUND

Fusiform aneurysms (FUANs) of vertebrobasilar arterial (VBA) trunk are difficult to treat by using current surgical and endovascular techniques. The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of FUANs of VBA trunk which was treated with various therapeutic modalities including unilateral or bilateral vertebral artery occlusion, trapping of the aneurysm with coils, stent-assistant coiling, or sole stenting.

METHODS

Between 2000 and 2008, 17 patients with FUANs (ranged in size from 8 to 45 mm) of VBA trunk in our hospital underwent endovascular treatment in our hospital. Eleven patients were evaluated by test occlusion with nondetachable silicone balloon or hyperglide balloon, and seven patients in this series passed testing with temporary balloon occlusion, among which four patients showed positive result, and three patients were conducted bilateral VA test occlusion. Finally, nine patients underwent a trapping of the aneurysm by coils, four patients were treated with stent-supported coil embolization, and four patients with nonhemorrhagic FUAN of VBA were treated only by stenting.

RESULTS

The average imaging follow-up was 28 months, with a range from 6 to 48 months. Fourteen (82%) had excellent or good outcome, three (17.6%) had a poor outcome, and one (5.8%) died.

CONCLUSIONS

Management of FUANs of VBA trunk often poses difficult therapeutic problems. In some cases, multiple treatment sessions may be not only safe but also necessary for the effective treatment of these aneurysms to achieve a complete or an acceptable result.