Balloon-assisted guglielmi detachable coil placement in wide-necked internal carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms: a report of four cases.

We present an endovascular technique for treating wide-necked ophthalmic aneurysms using Guglielmi detachable coils with simultaneous temporary balloon protection. Four illustrative cases of wide-necked ophthalmic aneurysms treated with Guglielmi detachable coils and a temporary balloon are presented. By blocking the parent artery with a non-detachable balloon, the coils could be safely placed in these aneurysms without herniation when the balloon was deflated. All patients exhibited embolic manifestations after the procedure, and the use of simultaneous temporary balloon protection allowed more dense intra-aneurysmal coil packing. Although this technique requires manipulation of a second microcatheter and balloon, which increases its technical difficulties and is a higher-risk procedure than the standard coil placement, it can be used for patients who are not candidates for surgery. Long-term follow-up is needed to determine the final outcome of aneurysms treated by this technique.     

支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞治疗大脑中动脉分叉部宽颈动脉瘤

目的 观察支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞治疗大脑中动脉分叉部宽颈动脉瘤的安全性和有效性。方法 分析60例接受支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞治疗的大脑中动脉分叉部宽颈动脉瘤患者共65个动脉瘤,观察术后即刻及随访动脉瘤栓塞程度,评估术后并发症、疗效及安全性。结果 术中2例(2/60,3.33%)动脉瘤破裂出血,4例(4/60,6.67%)支架内血栓形成;术后即刻栓塞程度为RaymondⅠ级50个(50/65,76.92%)、Ⅱ级12个(12/65,18.46%)、Ⅲ级3个(3/65,4.62%)。术后1个月内3例(3/60,5.00%)动脉瘤再出血,2例致死;1例(1/60,1.67%)死于肺栓塞;4例(4/60,6.67%)并发脑梗死。1例术后6个月瘤颈复发,1例术后25个月出现无症状性血管闭塞;末次复查数字减影血管造影显示43个(43/51,84.31%)RaymondⅠ级、8个(8/51,15.69%)Ⅱ级。末次随访,49例(49/57,85.96%)改良Rankin量表评分为0～2分,8例(8/57,14.04%)为3～4分。结论 支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞技术治疗大脑中动脉宽颈动脉瘤安全、有效。     

The remodeling technique of balloon-assisted Guglielmi detachable coil placement in wide-necked aneurysms: experience at the University of Illinois at Chicago

OBJECT: Reports in the literature have offered discussions of the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of balloon-assisted Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) placement in wide-necked intracranial aneurysms, which was first described by Jacques Moret as the "remodeling technique." In this article the authors summarize their results in a subset of aneurysms treated with GDCs using the remodeling technique. METHODS: This report contains a retrospective analysis of 72 patients with 75 aneurysms who underwent 79 endovascular procedures performed using the remodeling technique. Morphological outcome was determined at the end of each procedure and by reviewing available follow-up angiograms. Clinical assessments and outcomes are reported using a modified Glasgow Outcome Scale. Coils were placed in 66 (88%) of 75 aneurysms selected for treatment. In eight aneurysms (11%) treatment failures occurred due to the tortuosity of the vessel used to reach the aneurysms or because of balloon inadequacies. Incorporating all available follow-up data the authors found that 50 (78%) of 64 aneurysms were completely or subtotally (> 95%) occluded and eight (12%) of 64 were incompletely (< 95%) occluded. Since the time of coil placement, eight aneurysms have progressed to complete occlusion and another five have exhibited progressive thrombosis on follow-up angiograms. In three aneurysms there has been neck remnant growth. Surgical clipping was performed to treat six aneurysms after an initial coil placement procedure. Permanent incidences of morbidity were limited to four patients and there were three deaths directly related to the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The remodeling technique shows promise in increasing the number of cerebral aneurysms amenable to treatment by endovascular coil placement, and offers an alternative approach to aneurysms that have met with failed surgical treatment or are surgically inaccessible. Long-term follow-up review is needed to determine the final outcome of aneurysms treated by this technique.     

NeuroformⅡ支架联合MatrixⅡ弹簧圈治疗颅内宽颈动脉瘤的初步经验

目的探讨NeuroformⅡ支架植入联合MatrixⅡ弹簧圈栓塞治疗颅内宽颈动脉瘤的疗效、技术要点、安全性及并发症防治。方法诊断为颅内宽颈动脉瘤的病人11例,其中大脑前动脉瘤2例,后交通动脉瘤4例,眼动脉瘤1例,大脑中动脉瘤2例,椎基底动脉瘤2例。7例先行NeuroformⅡ支架瘤颈成形,将微导管通过支架网眼置入动脉瘤内,填塞弹簧圈;4例先置入微导管于动脉瘤内,再释放支架后栓塞,术后3~6个月随访。结果所有病例栓塞操作均顺利完成,无手术并发症;其中致密填塞8例,部分致密填塞3例,术后病人均恢复良好,4例短期随访无再出血及血栓栓塞症状发生。结论NeuroformⅡ支架联合MatrixⅡ弹簧圈治疗颅内宽颈动脉瘤安全、有效。     

Guglielmi detachable coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms: 11 years' experience

OBJECT: The authors report on their 11 years' experience with embolization of cerebral aneurysms using Guglielmi Detachable Coil (GDC) technology and on the attendant anatomical and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Since December 1990, 818 patients harboring 916 aneurysms were treated with GDC embolization at University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center. For comparative purposes, the patients were divided into two groups: Group A included their initial 5 years' experience with 230 patients harboring 251 aneurysms and Group B included the later 6 years' experience with 588 patients harboring 665 aneurysms. Angiographically demonstrated complete occlusion was achieved in 55% of aneurysms and a neck remnant was displayed in 35.4% of lesions. Incomplete embolization was performed in 3.5% of aneurysms, and in 5% occlusion was attempted unsuccessfully. A comparison between the two groups revealed a higher complete embolization rate in patients in Group B compared with that in Group A patients (56.8 and 50.2%, respectively). The overall morbidity/mortality rate was 9.4%. Angiographic follow ups were obtained in 53.4% of cases of aneurysms, and recanalization was exhibited in 26.1% of aneurysms in Group A and 17.2% of those in Group B. The overall recanalization rate was 20.9%. Note that recanalization was related to the size of the dome and neck of the aneurysm. Overall incidence of delayed aneurysm rupture was 1.6%, a rate that improved in the past 5 years to 0.5%. Ten of 12 delayed ruptures occurred in large or giant aneurysms. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical and postembolization outcomes in patients treated with the GDC system have improved in the past 5 years. Aneurysm recanalization, however, is still a major limitation of current GDC therapy. Follow-up angiography is mandatory after GDC embolization of cerebral aneurysms. Further technical and device improvements are mandatory to overcome current GDC limitations.     

Balloon-assisted coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms: incidence, complications, and angiography results

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence, indications, complications, and angiography results associated with balloon-assisted coil embolization (BACE) of intracranial aneurysms and to compare these factors with those for conventional coil embolization (CE). METHODS: Between 1995 and 2005, 827 intracranial aneurysms in 757 consecutive patients were packed with coils. Balloon-assisted coil embolization was used in 8.6% (71 of 827) of the coil insertion procedures and was more frequently used in large aneurysms, unruptured lesions, and those located on the vertebrobasilar system and carotid artery. Procedure-related complications leading to death or dependency were significantly higher in BACEs (14.1%) compared with those in CEs (3%). Packing densities and the results of 6-month follow-up angiography studies did not differ significantly between the two types of treatments. There was a strong trend for a higher retreatment rate in the aneurysms treated with BACE. CONCLUSIONS: Balloon-assisted coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms is associated with a high complication rate and should only be used if conventional CE of these lesions is impossible or has failed and if anticipated surgical risks are too high. The BACE procedure does not improve the occlusion rates of the aneurysms on follow-up evaluation.     

支架及球囊辅助治疗颅内宽颈动脉瘤

目的探讨支架和球囊辅助技术在颅内宽颈动脉瘤栓塞治疗的应用体会。方法采用支架和球囊辅助瘤颈成形术对87例患者92个颅内宽颈动脉瘤进行栓塞治疗。支架辅助技术为首先选择合适的Neuroform支架跨动脉瘤颈释放,长度超出瘤颈近、远端各5mm,微导管通过支架上的网孔进入动脉瘤,一期或分期完成电解可脱性弹簧圈（GDC）栓塞。球囊辅助技术采用双导管,微导管送入动脉瘤内后,不可脱球囊置于瘤颈,充盈以覆盖瘤颈,再行GDC填塞动脉瘤。结果支架辅助栓塞完全填塞的动脉瘤31个,次全填塞（〉90％）3个,大部填塞（70％～90％）1个,载瘤动脉均保持通畅,无死亡,轻度神经功能障碍3例;球囊辅助栓塞完全填塞50个,次全填塞4个,无死亡,轻度神经功能障碍1例;同时采用支架和球囊辅助栓塞完全填塞的动脉瘤2个,次全填塞1个,无死亡。平均随访5．8个月,其中支架辅助栓塞再通率16．7％,球囊辅助栓塞再通率12．5％。结论支架及球囊辅助技术是处理颅内宽颈动脉瘤安全、有效的方法。采用球囊保护栓塞技术较支架辅助技术具有更大的安全性。     

Treatment of wide-necked aneurysms with balloon-expandable polyurethane-covered stentgrafts: experience in an animal model

Summary Objective. Endovascular treatment of intracranial wide-necked aneurysms employing stentgrafts might constitute a promising alternative to established neurosurgical or endovascular treatment options. However, there is uncertainity concerning long-term vessel patency and biocompatibility of the covering material used for these stentgrafts. The objective of our study was, therefore, to evaluate in an animal model of wide necked aneurysms, which changes within the parent vessel wall are present after stentgraft placement using polyurethane as the covering material.Methods. Wide-necked aneurysms were created in rabbits by distal ligation and intraluminal incubation of the right common carotid artery with elastase. All 10 animals were treated with polyurethane covered stentgrafts. Angiography and histological analyses were performed including immunohistochemical investigations for estimating the proliferation of the intima and possible inflammatory infiltration of the vessel wall after one (n = 5) and three months (n = 5) observation.Results. Stentgrafts led to a complete and stable aneurysm occlusion in all but one animal in which the stent was initially misplaced. In one animal, the stentgraft was completely occluded as visible both at angiography and on histological examination. Here, old thrombus was found within the stent although the animal was on antiplatelet therapy. The other stentgrafts remained patent and demonstrated only minimal proliferative carrier vessel wall changes and no in-stent stenosis.Conclusions. In previous animal models using Dacron covered stentgrafts, a poor short term patency rate due to the limited biocompatibility was found. We found, that Polyurethane seemed to have less adverse effects upon the vessel wall. However, a longer follow-up period is necessary to exclude delayed stenosis of the parent vessels. Stentgrafts may, therefore, play a role in broad based aneurysms, dissecting aneurysms or pseudoaneurysms, however, vessel sacrifice using permanent balloon occlusion may be a safer and better established alternative compared to the use of stentgrafts.     

支架或球囊辅助弹簧圈栓塞技术对颈内动脉宽颈后交通动脉瘤的疗效

目的评估支架或球囊辅助弹簧圈栓塞技术对颈内动脉宽颈后交通动脉瘤的治疗效果和安全性。方法回顾性分析接受支架或球囊辅助弹簧圈栓塞的47例颈内动脉宽颈后交通动脉瘤患者,其中31例采用支架辅助治疗,16例采用球囊辅助治疗。治疗后随访6~36个月,分析患者的术后造影、并发症及临床情况。结果 47例中,采用支架或球囊两种辅助治疗方法相关并发症发生率分别为9.68%(3/31)和6.25%(1/16);手术后即刻造影显示完全栓塞率分别为58.06%(18/31)和68.75%(11/16)。31例支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞病例中随访造影18例,均无动脉瘤复发;16例球囊辅助弹簧圈栓塞病例中随访造影10例,其中3例复发。结论支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞技术和球囊辅助弹簧圈栓塞技术是颈内动脉宽颈后交通动脉瘤安全有效的治疗方法。支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞技术能够显著降低颈内动脉宽颈后交通动脉瘤的复发率,但有增加缺血事件的风险。球囊辅助弹簧圈栓塞技术的手术操作相关并发症低,术后完全栓塞率高,但复发率也相对较高。     

Immediate and midterm follow-up results of using an electrodetachable, fully retrievable SOLO stent system in the endovascular coil occlusion of wide-necked cerebral aneurysms

OBJECT: Stent-assisted embolization is an alternative endovascular treatment method for wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. Currently available stents have the limitations of poor radial force, difficult delivery systems, and lack of full retrievability. The authors report on their preliminary experience with the use of a new, fully retrievable, self-expanding neurovascular stent, which has a high radial force and easy delivery system, combined with coil or Onyx embolization for the treatment of wide-necked aneurysms, including 6-month follow-up data. METHODS: Fifteen patients with 18 wide-necked intracranial aneurysms were treated using the SOLO stent system and detachable platinum coils. Aneurysms were located at the posterior communicating artery (seven lesions), midbasilar artery (one lesion), internal carotid artery (ICA) bifurcation (one lesion), ICA-ophthalmic artery segment (eight lesions), and posterior cerebral artery (one lesion). Eleven aneurysms were small, six were large, and one was giant. Only one of these aneurysms was in the acute stage of subarachnoid hemorrhage; balloon remodeling alone failed to keep the coils in the aneurysm sac. RESULTS: Only one stent required retrieving and repositioning after it had been fully deployed, and retrieval was easy and successful. No thromboembolic complication, dissection/rupture, or vasospasm occured during stent placement. Follow-up angiograms obtained at 6 months posttreatment in the 18 aneurysms demonstrated that all stents were patent with no evidence of intimal hyperplasia or stenosis. In all cases but one, 100% lesion occlusion was observed at the 6-month control angiography examination. Only one aneurysm had recanalized. CONCLUSIONS: The fully retrievable self-expandible SOLO stent is a feasible, secure, and effective system with a high radial force and ease of delivery in treating wide-necked intracranial aneurysms in combination with coil embolization.     

Endovascular coil placement compared with surgical clipping for the treatment of unruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms: a consecutive series.

OBJECT: The goal of this study was to delineate the angioanatomical features that determine whether a patient with an unruptured middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm is treated using endovascular coil placement or surgical clipping. METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients harboring 34 unruptured MCA aneurysms were evaluated. Patients with unruptured aneurysms are managed prospectively according to the following protocol: the primary treatment recommendation is endovascular packing with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs). Surgical clipping is recommended after failed attempts at coil placement or in the presence of angioanatomical features that contraindicate that type of endovascular therapy. Of 34 unruptured MCA aneurysms, two (6%) were successfully embolized and 32 (94%) were clipped. Of these 32 surgically treated aneurysms, in 11 (34%) an attempt at GDC embolization had failed, whereas in 21 (66%) primary clipping was performed because of unfavorable angioanatomy. Of the 13 aneurysms treated endovascularly, two (15%) were successfully excluded, whereas GDC treatment failed in 11 (85%). An unfavorable dome/neck ratio (< 2) and an arterial branch originating at the aneurysm base were the reasons for embolization failure. CONCLUSIONS: Careful evaluation of the angioanatomy of unruptured aneurysms allows selection of the most appropriate treatment. However, for unruptured MCA aneurysms, surgical clipping appears to be the most efficient treatment option. Series of unruptured aneurysms are ideal for comparing treatment results.