Treatment of a pediatric recurrent fusiform middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm with a flow diverter

Predictors of recurrence and complications for the endovascular treatment of unruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm: A high-volume center experience over 12 years

OBJECT

To assess the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment (EVT) of unruptured middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms in a retrospective cohort in a high-volume center. Predictors of complications and recurrence were determined.

METHODS

Retrospectively reviewed our database of prospectively collected information for all patients with unruptured MCA aneurysms that were treated by endovascular approach from March 2008 to December 2020. A multivariate analysis was conducted to identify predictors of complications and recurrence.

RESULTS

Three hundred and fifty-one patients with 370 unruptured MCA aneurysms underwent EVT were included in this study. Seventy-three aneurysms (19.7%) were treated by coiling without stent, 297 (80.3%) with stent-assisted coiling. The procedures were performed with a technical success rate of 100%. Procedure-related neurological complications occurred in 15 patients (4.1%), including 1 patient died from post-procedural stent thrombosis. Age ≥ 65 years (P = 0.039; OR = 3.400; 95% CI, 1.065-10.860) and aneurysm size ≥ 5 mm (P = 0.009; OR = 15.524; 95% CI, 1.988-121.228) were significantly associated with ischemic complications of EVT. Three hundred and six aneurysms were (87.2%) completed image follow-up (235 DSA and 71 CE-MRA). The median angiographic follow-up time were 7.0 ± 4.3 months (range from 1 to 88 months). Follow-up angiograms showed that 249 aneurysms (81.4%) were completed occluded, 29 aneurysms (9.5%) were improved, 17 aneurysms (5.6%) were stable, and 11 aneurysms (3.6%) were recanalized and 10 of them accepted retreatments. Aneurysm size ≥ 10 mm was a predictor of recanalization (P = 0.004; OR = 11.213; 95% CI, 2.127-59.098) and stent-assisted coiling can significantly reduce recanalization (P = 0.004; OR = 0.105; 95% CI, 0.023-0.479).

CONCLUSIONS

EVT is a safe and effective therapeutics for unruptured MCA aneurysms management, and provides durable aneurysm occlusion rate during follow-up. Large MCA aneurysms have higher recurrence and ischemic complications risk after EVT. Stent-assisted coiling can significantly reduce the recurrence rate without increasing the risk of complications.

Flow-diverter stents in the endovascular treatment of remnants in previously clipped ruptured aneurysms: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND

The rate of intracranial aneurysm remnants/recurrences after microsurgical clipping varies widely. The optimal management for these patients remains a matter of debate. Repeat surgery in particular bears a high risk of periprocedural complications due to anatomical distortion from prior procedures. This study aims to evaluate the risk-benefit profile of flow-diverter stents in these patients.

METHODS

The patient database of our neurovascular centre was queried to identify patients with clipped aneurysms who subsequently underwent endovascular treatment with intraluminal flow-diverter stents. The outcome analysis consisted of an assessment of clinical parameters (modified Rankin scale) and the post-interventional angiographic occlusion status (according to the Raymond-Roy occlusion classification).

RESULTS

Six patients underwent endovascular treatment with flow-diverter stents of recurrent aneurysms after clipping. Treatment was necessary in two patients due to progressive neurological deficits, and due to angiographic proof of an increasing aneurysm size in the other four patients. Median aneurysm size was 0.45 cm. All patients had a prior history of subarachnoid haemorrhage. The time from primary clipping to recurrence was 10.6 years. Complete radiological aneurysm occlusion was feasible in five out of six cases. Two patients who had experienced pre-interventional neurological deficits showed a complete remission of symptoms on last follow-up. No periprocedural morbidity or mortality was recorded and no patient required retreatment within the median follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This case series suggests that endovascular treatment with flow-diverter stents of aneurysm remnants after previous microsurgical clipping is a feasible treatment concept with a low-risk profile, which might prevent the treatment burden and risks of repeat surgery.

Endovascular treatment of middle cerebral artery aneurysms with flow modification with the use of the pipeline embolization device

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Pipeline Embolization Device was reported to be safe and effective in the treatment of sidewall aneurysms, preserving the patency of the vessels covered by the construct. However, to date, the safety and efficacy of this device in treating bifurcation aneurysms remains unknown. We report our preliminary experience with the use of the Pipeline Embolization Device in the management of MCA aneurysms located at the bifurcations, including mid- and long-term follow-up data.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Wide-neck MCA aneurysms, which give rise to a bifurcating or distal branch in which other endovascular techniques are thought to be unfeasible or more risky, were included. Data including demographics, aneurysm features, antiplatelet therapy, complications, and angiographic follow-up results for up to 30 months were recorded.

RESULTS

Twenty-five aneurysms located at the MCA bifurcation (n = 21) or distal (n = 4) were treated. Of these, 22 were small and 3 were large. A single device was used in all but 2. No deaths occurred in the series. All patients had at least 1 control angiographic study, 21 of which were DSA (3-30 months), which showed that 12 of the rising branches were patent whereas 6 were filling in reduced caliber and 3 were occluded asymptomatically. According to the last angiographic follow-up, complete occlusion was revealed in 21 of 25 aneurysms (84%).

CONCLUSIONS

The Pipeline Embolization Device provides a safe and effective treatment alternative for wide-neck MCA aneurysms that give rise to a bifurcating or distal branch when other endovascular techniques are thought to be unfeasible or more risky.