Application of covered stent grafts for intracranial vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms

Impact of Stent Size Selection and Vessel Evaluation on Skull Base Cerebrovascular Diseases Treated With Willis Covered Stents: A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the diverse stent size selection on the clinical and angiographic outcomes of Willis covered stent (WCS) for the treatment of skull base cerebrovascular diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 147 patients with 151 skull base cerebrovascular diseases treated with WCS in 3 centers between January 2015 and July 2022 were included in this study. Several parameters depicting stent size and parent artery condition were incorporated into the analysis of the outcomes.

RESULTS

Complete occlusion was found in 106 cases (68.2%) immediately after deployment and 126 cases (83.4%) after technical adjustment. In the multivariate logistics analysis, the difference between stent diameter and parent artery diameter (DD) was significantly associated with immediate endoleak without adjustment (odds ratio [OR]=0.410; p=0.005) and late endoleak (OR=0.275; p=0.028). In addition, differences between stent diameter and parent artery diameter at wide landing point (DSW) and differences between stent diameter and parent artery diameter at narrow landing point (DSN) was also was significant associated with immediate endoleak without adjustment and balloon re-dilation respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that the diameter selection of the WCS was associated with the occurrence of endoleak during the treatment of skull base cerebrovascular diseases. Precise selection and evaluation of stent size and vessel condition were significant factors for skull base cerebrovascular diseases treated by WCS.

CLINICAL IMPACT

This study demonstrates a significant association between the diameter selection of the Willis covered stent (WCS) and the occurrence of endoleak in the management of skull base cerebrovascular diseases. The results offer valuable medical evidence that can inform stent selection for WCS. The study emphasizes the significance of precise evaluation of stent size and vessel condition as crucial factors in WCS procedures. These findings underscore the importance of meticulous consideration and individualized approaches to stent selection, ultimately improving treatment outcomes in clinical practice.

Reconstructive treatment of symptomatic vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms with Willis covered stent: Initial experience

Background

Symptomatic vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm (VADA) is a challenging disease with controversy on treatment strategy due to anatomic configuration and their nature. Moreover, the outcomes of reconstructive treatment have not been well established.

Objective

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of reconstructive endovascular treatment (EVT) for symptomatic VADAs with Willis covered stent.

Methods

We evaluated retrospectively 13 patients with symptomatic VADAs who treated with Willis covered stent, compared with stent-assisted coiling (SAC) on the characteristics, posttreatment course, angiographic and clinical follow-up outcomes at an average of 14.4 months (range, 3–48 months).

Results

A total of 33 patients with symptomatic VADAs were reviewed, 23 of these patients with ruptured VADAs. The technical successful rate is 100% respectively in Willis covered stent (Group A) and SAC (Group B, n ​= ​20). The initial complete occlusion rate was significant higher in group A (100%) than group B (30%) (p ​< ​0.01). Major procedure-related complications were not significant different in the two groups. Serial follow-up angiograms revealed 5 recurrent VADAs in group B and no recurrence in group A (p ​> ​0.05). No obvious in-stent stenosis and no re-hemorrhage and delayed ischemic symptoms during the follow-up period. The final angiograms of all survived patients demonstrated the complete occlusion rate was higher in group A (100%) than group B (80%), but no significant statistical difference (p ​> ​0.05). Clinical outcomes were favorable in 31 (93.9%), severe disability occurred in one in group B, and only one death in group A. The final clinical outcomes were also not significant difference in the two groups (p ​> ​0.05).

Conclusions

Our initial result demonstrated reconstructive EVT with Willis covered stent provides a viable approach for selected symptomatic VADAs involving the intracranial and extracranial segments, which is similar to favorable results with SAC. However, an expanded clinical experiences and larger cohort studies are needed.

Surgical removal using V3-radial artery graft-V4 bypass and occipital artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery bypass for a giant thrombosed aneurysm of vertebral artery compressing brain stem: Case report

Background:

Giant thrombosed vertebral artery aneurysms (GTVAs) are difficult disease to treat. Here, we are reporting a case of GTVA successfully treated with excluding the pathological segment and restoring the anterograde blood flow of the parent artery, highlighting the reliable surgical procedure.

Case Description:

A 55-year-old man with a left GTVA complained of right hemiparesis (manual muscle testing 4/5) represented by hand clumsiness and gait disturbance, in addition to severe left-sided dysesthesia, was referred to our hospital. The posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) was incorporated into the GTVA segment, and the contralateral vertebral artery showed atherosclerotic change. Thus, we decided to treat the aneurysm with aneurysm trapping and thrombectomy, in conjunction with V3-radial artery graft (RAG)-V4 bypass and occipital artery (OA)-PICA bypass through a suboccipital transcondylar approach. The distal end of the dilated segment was meandering and deflecting outwardly to the vicinity of the internal auditory canal and was stretched in an axial direction. Thus, the V4 stump can be transposed to the triangle space made by the medulla, lower cranial nerves, and sigmoid sinus, and we could perform a safe and reliable anastomosis through the corridor. After the surgery, the compression of the brain stem was released, and right hemiparesis was improved completely after rehabilitation. The patient was discharged with a modified Rankin Scale score of 1.

Conclusion:

Trapping of the aneurysm and thrombectomy are the most radical treatment for GTVA, and if possible, reconstruction of anterograde blood flow with V3-RAG-V4 bypass and OA-PICA bypass is desirable.

Endovascular reconstructive treatment using a fill-and-tunnel technique for a fusiform vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm with ipsilateral dominance

BACKGROUND

Fusiform dissecting aneurysms involving the dominant vertebral artery with poor collaterals are challenging to treat. The purpose of this study was to present an initial experience with a fill and tunnel technique for reconstructive endovascular treatment of these conditions.

METHODS

A total of 13 patients, 11 men and 2 women, each with a fusiform vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm not amenable to internal trapping of the parent artery, underwent reconstructive endovascular treatment using a fill and tunnel technique between January 2012 and December 2015. The safety, feasibility, and clinical and angiographic outcomes of these procedures were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

The average maximum diameter of the fusiform aneurysms was 12.1 mm. Five were ruptured. Three aneurysms were treated with a single stent and the remaining 10 aneurysms required double-stent placement. Treatment was technically successful in all 13 patients, achieving complete occlusion (n = 10, 76.9%) and near-complete occlusion (n = 3, 23.1%). No procedure-related complications occurred in any patient. There were no delayed thromboembolic or hemorrhagic complications during the follow-up period (mean, 19.0 months). Angiographic follow-ups (mean, 9.1 months) showed stable occlusion in 90.9% (10/11) and asymptomatic in-stent occlusion in one patient (9.1%, 1/11). At the end of the observation period (mean, 19.0 months), all patients had excellent clinical outcomes (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0, 92.3%, 12/13), except one (mRS 4), resulting from poor preoperative status.

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective study demonstrated that endovascular reconstruction using a fill-and-tunnel technique was a technically safe, feasible, and clinically effective treatment method for fusiform vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms with ipsilateral dominance.

Reconstructive endovascular treatment of the V4 segment of a vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm with the Willis covered stent: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

Preliminary studies suggest that Willis covered stents may be suitable for the treatment of aneurysms of the internal carotid artery (ICA), but their efficacy and safety in vertebral artery (VA) dissecting aneurysms need further investigation.

METHODS

Consecutive patients who underwent placement of a Willis covered stent for treatment of an aneurysm of the V4 segment of the VA between September 2015 and December 2017 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. The efficacy, complications, angiographic and clinical follow-up results were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

Sixteen covered stents were successfully implanted into the VA in 12 patients with 12 dissecting aneurysms. The technical success rate of stenting placement was 100%. Complete occlusion was achieved in 11 patients immediately after stent placement, with transient endoleak in one aneurysm. Angiographic follow-up (9.9 ± 4.0 months, mean±SD) was performed in nine patients and demonstrated complete stabilization of the obliterated aneurysm. Clinical follow-up (20.1 ± 9.6 months, mean±SD) demonstrated full recovery in 11 patients, and one patient suffered from acute myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSION

Reconstruction using a Willis covered stent is an efficient, safe and attractive alternative for the definitive treatment of intracranial VA dissecting aneurysms; longer follow-up and expanded clinical trials are needed for further validation of this technique.

Favorable Outcome of Endovascular Treatment for Intracranial Aneurysms: A Single-Center Study in Thailand

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to collect the information on patients with intracranial aneurysm (IA) receiving endovascular management in Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand.

Materials and Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed data from patients with IA who underwent endovascular treatment from January 1997 through July 2013. We collected patients’ demographic data including age, sex, clinical presentations, and aneurysmal profiles, as well as endovascular treatment technique, complications, angiographic results, and regrowth rate. Treatment results included success rate, clinical findings during follow-up, and regrowth rate.

Results:

We reviewed data from 497 patients with 636 aneurysms (female:male ratio, 1.9:1; age range, 15–90 years; mean age, 59.18 years) and 69% presented with rupture. One hundred and twenty patients with 127 aneurysms received endovascular treatment. The most common location for endovascular treatment was the posterior communicating artery (15.8%), and endovascular techniques were used most often for posterior circulation and paraclinoid aneurysms. The success rate was approximately 99.2% with a 16.5% regrowth rate and no rebleeding. Regrowth rate did not correlate with immediate postoperative angiographic findings. We encountered 23 complications (18.1%); most commonly, intra-procedural rupture (7/23). Good outcomes occurred in approximately 95.9% of the patients.

Conclusions:

The success rate for endovascular treatment was >90%. Regrowth rate and clinical outcomes were within standard limits. Posterior circulation and paraclinoid aneurysms were our main targets. We tended to use fewer devices and simpler techniques to secure ruptured IA; however, the regrowth rate was similar to that using device-assisted techniques in other studies. We found no significant factors affecting regrowth rate, including immediate posttreatment angiographic results.

Heparin and rosuvastatin calcium-loaded poly(l-lactide-co-caprolactone) nanofiber-covered stent-grafts for aneurysm treatment

Heparin and rosuvastatin calcium cause P(LLA-CL) nanofibers to exhibit good cell viability and anticoagulation ability.

Radical treatment for bilateral vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms by reconstruction of the vertebral artery

OBJECTIVE

Bilateral vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (VADAs) have a poor prognosis because progressive enlargement of the aneurysms compresses the brainstem or causes subarachnoid hemorrhage. The trapping of 1 vertebral artery (VA) places increased hemodynamic stress on the contralateral VA and may lead to enlargement and rupture. Therefore, management strategies are controversial. This study describes a radical treatment for bilateral VADAs using bypass surgery.

METHODS

Seven patients with bilateral VADAs were included. Three patients were treated by trapping of 1 VA via coiling or clipping at another hospital; the previously treated VA in 1 patient and the contralateral untreated VA in 2 patients subsequently enlarged. The other 4 patients presented without previous intervention and progressive enlargement of the aneurysms.

RESULTS

The post–coil embolization patients underwent V3–posterior cerebral artery (PCA) bypass and trapping. The other 4 patients underwent VA reconstruction via V3–V4 or V4–V4 bypass, with contralateral trapping on a separate day in 3 patients and observation in 1 patient. Perioperative complications included 1 case of cerebrospinal fluid leakage for which the patient required an additional operation, 1 case of dysphagia and facial palsy due to sigmoid sinus thrombosis, and 1 case of dysphagia. The long-term outcomes of these patients were favorable.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with bilateral VADAs require treatment on both sides. If VA trapping is performed first, the treatment options for the other side are limited to V3-PCA bypass and trapping. This procedure is effective; however, it is also invasive and technically difficult. In cases of bilateral VADAs in which it is feasible to reconstruct 1 side, the best approach is to begin by reconstructing the VA that appears technically easiest, followed by trapping of the contralateral VADA. This strategy allows enough time to suture vessels because contralateral reverse flow is maintained.

Endovascular reconstruction of unruptured intradural vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms with the Pipeline embolization device

Background

Dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral artery (VA) are difficult to treat using current surgical and endovascular techniques.

Objective

To analyze retrospectively the efficacy and safety of flow diverters in the treatment of dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral artery.

Methods

We identified six patients with six unruptured VA dissecting aneurysms either arising from the V4 or V3–V4 junction that were treated with the Pipeline embolization device (PED) at our institution between July 2012 and February 2015. Among other parameters, technical feasibility of the procedure, procedure-related complications, angiographic results, and clinical outcome were evaluated.

Results

PED placement was achieved in all cases and immediate angiography follow-up demonstrated intra-aneurysmal contrast stasis with parent artery preservation. A temporary episode of dysarthria was noted in one patient. Major procedure-related complications were not observed. The 6-month follow-up (n=6) demonstrated complete/near-complete aneurysm obliteration in five patients and partial obliteration in one. At the 1-year follow-up (n=5) stable complete aneurysm occlusion was seen in two patients. Two cases showed progression from near complete occlusion and partial occlusion at 6 months to complete occlusion and near complete occlusion. One cases showed unchanged near complete occlusion. No aneurysmal bleeding, in-stent stenosis or thromboembolic complication was seen. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and modified Rankin scale scores remained unchanged from admission to discharge.

Conclusions

Our preliminary experience with the use of PED for the treatment of intradural VA dissecting aneurysms shows promising short-term results, making this technique a feasible and safe treatment option in patients suitable for this approach. However, long-term and larger cohort studies are needed to validate these results.

Long-term follow up of antegrade recanalization of vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm after internal trapping: case report

A 34-year-old female presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by the rupture of a right vertebral artery (VA) dissecting aneurysm. The affected site, including the aneurysm and parent artery, was successfully occluded with detachable coils. Follow-up angiography performed 28 days after the endovascular treatment revealed recanalization of the parent artery. We decided to treat the patient conservatively without further intervention because the aneurysm had been completely occluded. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a normal VA configuration with a minor irregularity of the affected wall at 6 years after onset. Rebleeding tends to occur during the acute stage because spontaneous healing of the dissecting vascular wall typically occurs within one month after onset. Our case suggests that additional intervention is unnecessary during the chronic stage once the aneurysm has been occluded and no further signs of the development of VA dissection are found.

Flow-diverting stent for ruptured intracranial dissecting aneurysm of vertebral artery

BACKGROUND

The treatment of ruptured dissecting aneurysms of the intracranial vertebral artery (VA) with parent vessel preservation is a challenge for neurosurgeons and interventional neuroradiologists.

OBJECTIVE

To propose an indication for flow-diverting treatment for reconstruction of a dissecting VA with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage.

METHODS

Two male patients transferred after acute subarachnoid hemorrhage and dissecting aneurysm on the V4 segment of the dominant VA. An occlusion test was not performed because of their poor clinical state. A flow-diverting stent represented by the Pipeline embolization device was suggested to both patients.

RESULTS

Three Pipeline embolization devices were deployed in each VA. One dissecting aneurysm was excluded immediately after 3 stents, and 1 patient had complete exclusion demonstrated at the 48-hour control. No morbidity directly related to the procedure was observed. No recanalization and no rebleeding occurred during the 3 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

A flow-diverting stent may be considered an option to treat ruptured dissecting aneurysms of the VA, providing remodeling of the parent vessel and complete exclusion of the aneurysm.

Peri-stent aneurysm formation following a stent implant for stenotic intracranial vertebral artery dissection: a technical report of two cases successfully treated with coil embolization

INTRODUCTION

Although stenting for stenotic vertebral artery dissection (VAD) improves compromised blood flow, subsequent peri-stent aneurysm (PSA) formation is not well-known. We report two cases with PSA successfully treated with coil embolization.

METHODS

Three patients with stenotic intracranial VAD underwent endovascular angioplasty at our institution because they had acute infarction in posterior circulation territory and clinical evidence of hemodynamic insufficiency. In two of three patients balloon angioplasty at first session failed to relieve the stenosis, and a coronary stent was implanted. Angiography immediately after stenting showed no abnormality in case 1 and minimal slit-like projection at proximal portion of the stent in case 2.

RESULTS

Angiography obtained 16 months after the stenting revealed PSA in case 1. In case 2, angiography performed 3 months later showed that the projection at proximal portion enlarged and formed an aneurysm outside the stent. Because follow-up angiographies showed growth of the aneurysm in both cases, endovascular aneurysmal embolization was performed. We advanced a microcatheter into the aneurysm through the strut of existing stent and delivered detachable coils into the aneurysm lumen successfully in both cases. The post-procedural course was uneventful, and complete obliteration of aneurysm was confirmed on angiography in both cases.

CONCLUSION

Stenting for stenotic intracranial VAD may result in delayed PSA; therefore, follow-up angiographies would be necessary after stenting for stenotic intracranial arterial dissection. Coil embolization through the stent strut would be a solution for enlarging PSA.

Endovascular treatment of internal carotid and vertebral artery aneurysms using a novel pericardium covered stent

Intracranial aneurysm is a fairly common (often asymptomatic) condition. Subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with aneurysmal rupture is a potentially lethal event with a mortality rate as high as 50 percent and a high rate of disability among those who survive the initial hemorrhage, such that recently published guidelines support treatment of intracerebral aneurysms. The current treatment options include surgical clipping and endovascular treatment, but these are not without significant problems. Despite the trend toward endovascular treatment the rate of recurrence and complications is high. Current published evidence of the use of covered stent is limited to stents covered with polytetrafluoroethylene. It is now recognized that mammalian extracellular matrix represents an excellent scaffold material suitable for many therapeutic applications and glutaraldehyde treated pericardium has been widely used for many years due to its desirable features such as low immunogenicity and durability. This report describes the first published experience with the Aneugraft Pericardium Covered Stent (ITGI Medical, OR Akiva, Israel) in the treatment of internal carotid and vertebral artery aneurysms in three patients. In all three cases, the implantation of this novel device has resulted in successful closure of aneurysms.

Bilateral vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage treated by staged coil trapping and covered stents graft

The treatment of bilateral vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (VADAs) presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is still challenging. The authors report a rare case of bilateral VADA treated with coil trapping of ruptured VADA and covered stents implantation after multiple unsuccessful stent assisted coiling of the contralateral unruptured VADA. A 44-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of severe headache and sudden stuporous consciousness. Brain CT showed thick SAH and intraventricular hemorrhage. Cerebral angiography demonstrated bilateral VADA. Based on the SAH pattern and aneurysm configurations, the right VADA was considered ruptured. This was trapped with endovascular coils without difficulty. One month later, the contralateral unruptured VADA was protected using a stent-within-a-stent technique, but marked enlargement of the left VADA was detected by 8-months follow-up angiography. Subsequently two times coil packing for pseudosacs resulted in near complete occlusion of left VADA. However, it continued to grow. Covered stents graft below the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) origin and a coronary stent implantation across the origin of the PICA resulted in near complete obliteration of the VADA. Covered stent graft can be used as a last therapeutic option for the management of VADA, which requires absolute preservation of VA flow.

Endovascular treatment of basilar artery trunk aneurysms

BACKGROUND

There has been little reported on the endovascular experience of basilar artery (BA) trunk aneurysms due to its low incidence. The purpose of this study is to report the results of endovascular treatment (EVT) of BA trunk aneurysms.

METHODS

Between 2004 and 2008, eight BA trunk aneurysms were treated by EVT. Five patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage, one had intracranial mass effect, and in two of the patients the aneurysms were found incidentally. Four lesions were saccular aneurysms, three of them were found with BA fenestration. Three lesions were dissecting aneurysms and one was a giant fusiform aneurysm. The mean follow-up period of clinical outcome was 17.1 months (range, 6-32 months). Angiographic follow-up data was obtained in six patients for period of a mean of 15.6 months (range, 6-25 months).

RESULTS

Four patients with saccular aneurysms were treated by stent-assisted coil embolization except for one patient that was treated without a stent. Three patients with dissecting aneurysms were treated by a single stent placement. One of these dissecting aneurysms rebled in 4 days after stent placement and was secured by BA occlusion. One giant fusiform aneurysm was treated by bilateral vertebral artery (VA) occlusion after balloon test occlusion. Six patients (75.0%) had excellent or good clinical outcomes, one patient whose aneurysm rebled became vegetative, and one patient with bilateral VA occlusion died. Follow-up angiograms showed that four lesions had complete occlusion and two had neck remnant.

CONCLUSIONS

The endovascular catheterization of these lesions tends to be relatively simple compared to more complex neurosurgical approaches. EVT, especially using a stent, could be a valuable therapeutic method in treating BA trunk aneurysms.

Treatment of Spontaneous Intradural Vertebral Artery Dissections

Spontaneous intradural vertebral artery dissections may cause subarachnoid hemorrhage and often result in devastating damage. Increased use of noninvasive imaging studies has allowed larger numbers of patients to be diagnosed. In addition, intracranial vertebral artery dissection tends to induce multiple lesions affecting both intracranial vertebral arteries recurrently. Although unruptured dissections in this area usually have a benign nature, some authors have reported on the incidence of rupture from this lesion. Once hemorrhage from a dissecting vessel wall has occurred, it needs to be treated in the acute phase because of the high risk of rebleeding resulting in high morbidity and mortality. From December 2004 to July 2010, we managed 47 patients with spontaneous vertebral artery dissection, 31 patients were ruptured and 16 were unruptured. All patients who suffered from subarachnoid hemorrhage were treated with endovascular procedures. Most of the patients with unruptured dissection received medical therapy, but if the aneurysmal dilatation persisted or grew, surgical interventions were performed. Stenting with or without coils was deployed for 13 patients with posterior inferior cerebellar artery involvement at the site of dissection and/or were affected on the dominant side. In some patients, stenting was performed even if they were in the acute phase. For other ruptured patients, internal coil trappings were performed. Six patients died due to severe initial subarachnoid hemorrhage and one patient, who underwent stent deployment with coils for the dominant vertebral artery, with bilateral dissection continuing to the basilar artery died due to rerupture while the next additional coiling was planning. There were two cases of complications related to the intervention. During the follow-up period no bleeding occurred in any of the patients except for the previously mentioned patient. In conclusion, internal coil trapping or stent placement with or without coils was effective in preventing rebleeding of ruptured vertebral artery dissection. If the dissection is unruptured, it is necessary to detect the risk of bleeding with careful watching and when progress appears to be made, patients should be treated promptly. Stent-assisted therapy for preserving the patency of the parent artery and major branches is a promising treatment for vertebral artery dissection, even in the acute stage of subarachnoid hemorrhage. However, the risk of acute rerupture and recurrence remains even with the porous stent placement with or without coils.

Treatment of ruptured intracranial dissecting aneurysms in Hong Kong

Background:

Data suggests that hemorrhagic presentations occur in 20% of internal carotid artery dissections and 50% of vertebral artery dissections. A Finnish study has reported favorable outcomes in only 32% of patients.

We aimed to review the epidemiology and management outcomes in a Chinese population.

Methods:

We reviewed the aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage registry of patients who presented with intracranial dissecting aneurysms at a neurosurgical center in Hong Kong over a five-year period.

Results:

A total of 23 patients with intracranial dissecting aneurysms were identified, accounting for 8% of all spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage patients. Forty-eight percent of the patients identified were treated by main trunk occlusion and 39% were treated by embolization or stent-assisted embolization or stent alone. Thirteen percent were managed by craniotomy and trapping or wrapping. Favorable outcomes at six months were achieved in 67%.

Conclusions:

Patients with intracranial dissecting aneurysms account for a significant proportion of the cases of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage in our population. Carefully selected endovascular and microsurgical treatments can lead to management outcomes similar to patients with saccular aneurysms.

Treatment of a giant basilar artery aneurysm with a bridging stent and subsequent coil occlusion of the stent: case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE

To report the treatment of a symptomatic giant basilar artery aneurysm in a child.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 7-year-old girl presented with a 2-month history of progressive right hemiparesis caused by a huge fusiform aneurysm of the basilar artery with compression of the brainstem. INTERVENTION OR TECHNIQUE: The patient was treated with a bridging bare stent and occlusion of the stent lumen with detachable coils.

CONCLUSION

The patient experienced immediate total occlusion of the aneurysm with almost total recuperation after 1 year.

Clinical and angiographic follow-up of stent-only therapy for acute intracranial vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Little has been known about the clinical and angiographic follow-up results of stent-only therapy for intracranial vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms (VBDA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, clinical, and angiographic follow-up of stent-only therapy for VBDA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-seven patients with 29 VBDAs (11 ruptured, 18 unruptured), not suitable for deconstructive treatment, underwent stent-only therapy. Feasibility, safety, clinical, and angiographic follow-up were retrospectively evaluated. Angiographic outcomes were compared between single-stent and multiple-stent groups.

RESULTS

All attempted stent placements were successfully accomplished without any treatment-related complication. Of the 11 ruptured VBDAs, 4 were treated by single stents, 6 by double overlapping stents, and 1 by triple overlapping stents. Of the 18 unruptured VBDAs, 6 were treated by stents, and 12 by double overlapping stents. One patient with a ruptured VBDA, treated by single stent, had rebleeding and died. None of the remaining patients had posttreatment bleeding during follow-up (mean, 28 months; range, 7-50 months). Eight patients with ruptured VBDA and all patients with unruptured VBDA had excellent outcomes (modified Rankin Scale, 0-1). The remaining 2 patients with ruptured VBDA were moderately disabled because of the initial damage. Angiographic follow-up was available in 27 VBDAs, 4 to 42 months (mean, 12 months) after treatment. Follow-up angiograms revealed complete obliteration of the dissecting aneurysm in 12, partial obliteration in 12, stable in 1, enlargement in 1, and in-stent occlusion in 1. Angiographic improvement (complete or partial obliteration) was more frequent in the multiple-stent group (17/17) than in the single-stent group (7/9; P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

In this small series, stent-only therapy was safe and effective in the treatment of VBDAs that were not deemed suitable for treatment with parent-artery occlusion.